Embroidery and cross-stitch work are traditional ethnic handicrafts in the city of Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, which has many ethnic groups with their own characteristics, such as the delicate, pretty Bouyei people, gorgeous Miao, simple but elegant Shui and the lively Dong. The embroidery of the Miao is the most typical, with patterns that mostly derive from nature, and are colorful, pretty, and vivid.
The cross-stitch work is a decorative form, with patterns designed according to the warp and weft of the cloth. The cross-stitch work of the Huaxi district of Guiyang is famous for its exquisite handiwork, with some innovations based on the traditional technique and with a color and layout more that fit modern aesthetic needs. Common patterns of cross-stitching include an ox head, snow flake, thorny quinoa flowers, bronze drum, lantern, the sun, a frog, swallows, pavilions, the countryside, bridges, rivers, and the Miao emperor's seal.
Miao cross-stitching in Huaxi has its own history and legends about the ethnic group, memorializing ancestors, recording history, telling of romance, and beauty, with the decorative function quite obvious. Cross-stitching of Guishou clothing, unique among the Miao, is a symbol of them and has been widely applied in their daily lives, for festivals, celebrations, and ceremonies such as selecting a mate, a wedding, or funerals.
