Dragons in traditional Chinese culture are symbols of power and strength. Unlike the Western dragon which is often considered malevolent, the Chinese dragon, while powerful, is an auspicious sign. In order to differentiate the cultural associations with dragon from those attached to the term in Western culture, some Chinese have proposed adopting the word "Loong" to use for Chinese dragons. "Loong" comes from the old Wade-Giles Romanization form for the Chinese word for dragon.
Chinese Batik or "La Ran" is a traditional art form practiced in China's remote southwest. The Miao (also called Hmong in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam) people are particularly well-known for their batiks. The traditional method for producing a batik involves first melting wax and then dipping a needle into the liquid. The needle is then used to sketch a pattern on fabric. Once the pattern hardens the cloth is tie-dyed and the wax resists dying leaving the design clearly visible. Once dyed the wax is boiled away leaving the beautiful wax resist patterns on the fabric. More complicated patterns and color combinations can involve multiple waxing, dying and washing processes.
This large batik makes an excellent wall hanging and will add accent and distinction to any room. It measures 48 in by 34 in.
All of our batiks are hand-made in the city of Anshun, an ancient trading center in China's mountainous Guizhou Province. We are proud to offer this small piece of traditional Chinese heritage to you.
