Willow weaving: the beauty of intangible cultural heritage spanning thousands of years

Each basket holds the survival wisdom of our ancestors.

Willow weaving originated from our ancestors' reverence for and utilization of nature. In prehistoric times, when productivity was low and pottery was not yet widespread, willow branches, readily available, became the preferred material for our ancestors' tools. A 7,000-year-old willow weaving fragment at the Hemudu site in Yuyao, Zhejiang, though its texture is blurred, clearly reveals its early form: a simple interweaving of warp and weft, outlining practical forms for holding food and storing miscellaneous items. Willow weaving at that time was not about aesthetics; it was simply about survival, a "survival tool" created by our ancestors' hands in their interplay with nature.

With the advent of agricultural society, willow weaving has become deeply ingrained in people's lives. In the wheat fields of the Yellow River basin, farmers fill willow baskets with golden ears of wheat, their heavy weight evoking the joy of a bountiful harvest. On fishing boats along the Yangtze River, fishermen toss their baskets into the water, soon brimming with fresh fish and shrimp. In northern winter, housewives use willow weaving to store food for the winter, its intricate patterns ensuring the well-being of their families. "Pick willows in spring, weave baskets in summer, store food in autumn, and ward off the cold in winter"—this millennia-old saying captures the importance of willow weaving in traditional life. Back then, willow weaving was a necessity, each pattern embodying the survival wisdom of our ancestors, and each artifact embodied a vibrant, everyday scene.

Stitch by stitch, weaving the cultural imprint of a region

Over time, willow weaving gradually shed its purely practical nature and began to incorporate regional cultural characteristics, forming distinct local styles. China's vast territory has fostered the diverse development of willow weaving. The local climate and soil not only nurture its people but also foster its unique craftsmanship.

In northern China, the willow weaving of Linshu, Shandong, exudes a bold and unrestrained spirit. The sturdy and resilient willow trees of the region allow artisans to exploit this strength, creating rugged, heavy-duty objects. 76-year-old Liu Jianguo has dedicated his life to Linshu willow weaving. His agricultural baskets utilize a herringbone weaving technique, creating a powerful, interwoven pattern of warp and weft. Each basket can withstand a hundred kilograms and remain intact for eight to ten years. The elder often says, "Our northern willow weaving must be like our nature: solid and durable." Beyond agricultural objects, the "swastika" pattern of Linshu willow weaving is also distinctive. Its repetitive patterns symbolize "good fortune and longevity," seamlessly blending practicality with beautiful meaning, becoming a classic symbol of northern willow weaving. In southern Anhui, the willow weaving of Funan, Anhui, exudes a sense of exquisite delicacy. The slender and soft willow branches here allow artisans to use sophisticated techniques to create vibrant and beautiful pieces. Funan artisans specialize in "twisting" and "inserting," transforming a single willow branch into dozens of designs. From delicate fruit plates to floor-standing flower baskets, each piece is a breathtaking work of art. Zhang Wei, a local "post-95" inheritor of the tradition, remembers the first time he saw his grandmother weaving a willow basket: "Grandma's fingers seemed to possess magic. The thin willow branches twisted and twirled in her hands, and soon, they blossomed into 'flowers.'" Today, Funan willow weaving is also inlaid with bamboo and wood ornaments, adding a touch of sophistication, making it a representative example of southern willow weaving that combines both ornamental and practical beauty.

In addition, willow weaving in Gushi, Henan, favors color. Artisans dye willow twigs in vibrant shades like red, yellow, and green, creating vibrant tapestries and storage boxes that seem to encapsulate the vibrant colors of spring. Willow weaving in Linhai, Zhejiang, is deeply integrated with folk customs. The "Five Grain Baskets" used at temple fairs are woven from five different colors of twigs, representing rice, millet, sorghum, wheat, and beans. These baskets carry the locals' wishes for a bountiful harvest and have become a vital vehicle for the preservation of folk culture. These diverse willow weaving styles are like a collection of regional cultural icons, weaving the customs and local customs of each region into their baskets.

Generation after generation, keeping intangible cultural heritage vibrant and vibrant

Under the impact of modern industrial civilization, many traditional crafts have faded from public consciousness. However, willow weaving, thanks to the perseverance and innovation of its artisans, has found renewed vitality in the new era. The dedicated care of older generations of artisans and the bold innovation of new generations of inheritors have combined to infuse this ancient craft with endless vitality.

81-year-old Wang Xiulan of Gushi, Henan, has calloused hands and warped knuckles from years of weaving willow branches. Yet, her eyes light up whenever she picks up a willow twig. She adheres to the most traditional willow weaving process: she chooses twigs that are covered in dew in the early morning, making them more flexible; she uses mulberry wood for steaming, controlling the heat to a point where smoke rises but the pot doesn't get burnt; and she weaves with meticulous care, using the "one press, two picks, three threads" technique. Every step must be meticulous. "Today's machine weaving is faster and cheaper, but it lacks the warmth of hands," she says. Her greatest pride in her life is having passed down the art of willow weaving intact, using her own hands. She now regularly teaches the skills to young people in her village, "Every person who learns brings more hope to this craft."

If the older generation of artisans are the "guardians" of willow weaving, then the new generation of inheritors are its "innovators." After graduating from university, 27-year-old Li Yuan gave up her urban design career and returned to her hometown to learn willow weaving from the hands of Mr. Liu Jianguo. She blends modern design concepts with traditional willow weaving techniques, breaking the stereotype of willow weaving as "old-fashioned." Her wicker handbags, crafted from lightweight wicker and accented with simple leather hardware, retain the natural texture of willow weaving while appealing to young people. They became an instant hit on e-commerce platforms. She also incorporated willow weaving into home decor, creating a lampshade with a hollowed-out pattern. At night, when the lights are on, light and shadow filter through the grain, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. To promote willow weaving, Li Yuan opened an account on a short video platform, documenting the entire process from picking wicker twigs to the finished product. She has attracted hundreds of thousands of followers, inspiring many netizens to try their hand at weaving.

In addition to design innovation, the industrialization of willow weaving has also injected new momentum into its legacy. Zhang Wei from Funan, Anhui, established a willow weaving cooperative. This collaboration brings together local veteran artisans, standardizes raw material procurement, establishes production standards, and establishes online sales channels, allowing Funan's willow weaving to transcend rural areas and reach markets across China and even internationally. Today, Funan's willow weaving industry has created jobs and increased income for tens of thousands of farmers, becoming a key pillar of rural revitalization. Furthermore, many areas have developed willow weaving cultural parks and themed homestays, allowing visitors to experience willow weaving firsthand and appreciate the charm of the culture through the process, transforming willow weaving from a niche intangible cultural heritage into a universal experience.

From fragments at the Hemudu Ruins to exquisite pieces in modern exhibition halls, from a survival tool for our ancestors to a contemporary cultural symbol, willow weaving has endured for millennia. It is a gift from nature, the product of the painstaking efforts of artisans, a mark of the region, and a national cultural treasure. Through the perseverance of the older generation and the innovation of the younger generation, this ancient intangible cultural heritage is weaving a beautiful chapter for the new era with a more vibrant spirit, allowing the world to witness the unique beauty of Chinese willow weaving.