One of Liu's embroidered fans. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

She attends museums, libraries and exhibitions for inspiration. "We express ourselves through body language. And hand gestures embody so many emotions and meanings," she said.

Liu's latest work features three parts: Buddha's hands, Avalokiteshvara's hands, and hands holding flowers.

For each category she's created four fans, and in the near future, she plans to embroider the most celebrated asparas, a female spirit intrinsic to Buddhist culture.