Characters in the TV drama Story of Yanxi Palace wear velvet flowers. [Photo/Mtime]

Velvet flower-making technique

The velvet flower-making technique, which originated in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), became a royal tribute during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and entered common people's lives during the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing dynasties. Made of silk and copper wires, velvet flowers were popular in ancient times for their long-lasting "blossoms". The craft's Chinese name, ronghua, a homophone for the word "glory", is considered auspicious.

The velvet flower-making technique was listed as intangible cultural heritage of Jiangsu province in 2006.