Of all the nationalities in the world, there may be only one Miao nationality. Although it doesn't have its own words, it just relies on a strong sense of national identity and words and deeds from generation to generation to integrate stories handed down for thousands of years, cities where ancestors lived, and migration and drifting routes into sacrificial ceremonies bit by bit, and embroidered them into clothes and costumes, which will not be forgotten from generation to generation.

Miao women grow hemp, spin, weave and dye cloth with adults when they are not familiar with the world, and also learn to thread needles and embroider. They should sew the clothes they need to wear for a lifetime before leaving home. Ordinary Miao women, while finishing embroidery and sewing clothes one by one, have intentionally or unintentionally added a slight and clear stroke to the unique "wordless history book" in the world, thus taking a small step forward in the helpless and brilliant journey of Miao people returning home.

The wordless history book "Miao Xiu"

Miao embroidery is an art created by Miao people with hard work and wisdom, which can be called "a silent history book". Its cultural connotation can reflect the history and changing process of Miao nationality, and it has a high cultural taste. Influenced by different social history, physical geography, religious beliefs, customs and habits, people have different aesthetic concepts and tastes, so the styles of making embroidery are also different. As far as costumes are concerned (different costumes have different embroidery patterns), Taijiang Miao costumes can be divided into nine different categories: Fangni, Zheng Fang, Nan Fang, Weng Fang, Fangbai, Fangxiu, Wengmang and Houshao.

Embroidery techniques mainly include Ping Xiu, Gelian, Debate Embroidery, Wrapped Embroidery, Broken Embroidery, Lock Embroidery, Twist Embroidery, Ponytail Embroidery and so on. Based on the observation and feeling of natural things, it is not painted, but embroidered by hand; Patterns are painted on the cloth before embroidery; Paper-cut and embroidery. Embroidery patterns are mostly exaggerated, decent and unique flowers, birds, animals, fish and insects. Among them, dragons, fish, butterflies, centipedes, bats and other patterns are the most extensive.

Miao Xiu is different from Xiang embroidery, Shu embroidery and Su embroidery because it has a strong national style. Beautiful and exaggerated composition; Unique in shape and rich in color, the people are famous all over the world.

Before getting married, Miao girls should embroider a set of dowry with their own hands. It usually takes three to five years from embroidery to completion, and every piece of embroidery is completed, without exception, permeated with the girl's hard work. Only when Miao girls are extremely clever can they win people's recognition, admiration and pursuit.