Hu Xinming, a State-level inheritor of the craft of making Fengxiang's clay figurines, shows two clay sculptures he designed on January 7, 2020 to greet the upcoming Chinese lunar new year, the Year of the Rat. Fengxiang, a county in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, is reputed as the hometown of clay figurines. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fengxiang, a county in Baoji, a city in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, is renowned for its clay figurines. The bright-colored figurines, which come in different shapes, embody the county's distinct cultural features, and rich historical and cultural messages. Therefore, experts of Chinese folklore refer to the figurines as "living fossils of history." The art form was added to the list of China's intangible cultural heritage in 2006.

A folk artist makes clay rat sculptures at Liuying Village of Fengxiang county, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, to greet the upcoming Chinese lunar new year, the Year of the Rat. Fengxiang is reputed as the hometown of clay figurines. [Photo/Xinhua]

The craft of making Fengxiang's clay figurines, which dates back more than 3,000 years, resulted from the wisdom of the local residents. Records indicate the craft originated during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100 BC-771 BC). The craft flourished during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.