Zhoulanggu

Zhoulanggu | Chinese Peony Hairpin | 2025

How did your journey into traditional Chinese hairpin making begin?

From my early childhood, I have been deeply captivated by traditional Chinese culture and its unique aesthetics. This fascination solidified my determination to pursue art throughout my studies and growth. What draws me most to hairpins is twofold: First, despite their compact size, they served as the most dazzling and significant adornment in the hair of Chinese women throughout history.
Second, they embrace boundless creative themes—whether depicting flora, fauna, aquatic motifs, or symbolic patterns from tradition.
Having gained foundational knowledge of hairpin craftsmanship, I embarked on creating my own pieces. Each design is infused with my personal aesthetic sensibilities, and I aspire to elevate this ancient art form to even greater heights of beauty.

Zhoulanggu | Jade Flowers Hairpin | 2025

What drew you to techniques like ‘Chan Hua’ and ‘Rong Hua’?

Silk thread serves as the common foundation for both techniques. I’m particularly drawn to its natural, delicate luster. Hairpins crafted using ‘chanhua’ (wrapped silk flower) and ‘ronghua’ (velvet flower) techniques possess an embroidery-like beauty, yet exist as three-dimensional artworks to adorn the hair. They elegantly translate the graceful softness of embroidery into wearable sculptural form.

Your hairpins often feature botanical motifs – what do flowers symbolize in your work?

Flowers in hairpins carry rich, multifaceted symbolic meanings, embodying both the beauty of nature and profound layers of human emotion and cultural metaphor.
Blossoms represent the cycle of nature and life force. Wearing floral hairpins expresses an aspiration for perpetual vitality. In ancient China, women often changed hairpin motifs with the seasons—a practice reflecting harmony between humanity and the natural world
Moreover, different flowers hold distinct cultural connotations:
– Pomegranate blossoms signify “abundant offspring and blessings”
– Orchids epitomize “the noble integrity of a virtuous scholar”
These poetic associations infuse hairpin artistry with deeper meaning, transforming each piece into a vessel of cultural wisdom.

Zhoulanggu | Narcissus Hairpin | 2025

How do you balance tradition and innovation in your designs?

I cherish infusing contemporary elements while honoring traditional craftsmanship. Combining diverse techniques within a single hairpin creates a dynamic interplay—a collision and fusion of materials. I frequently integrate botanical elements from different species, deliberately disregarding their natural seasons or growth patterns. When two or more plants converge in a design, they generate unexpected visual poetry—an alchemy of forms that transcends nature’s boundaries.

Can you tell us more about the creative process behind one of your recent hairpins?

When creating any narcissus-themed hairpin, I consciously evoke its Chinese symbolism: elegance and solitary refinement. Thus, I typically refrain from pairing narcissus with other blossoms—though might introduce a lone butterfly—believing this flower’s beauty needs no floral companions. Such restraint honors the narcissus’ intrinsic spirit.

Zhoulanggu | Wildflowers Hairpin | 2025

What emotions or stories do you hope to convey through your pieces?

As an adornment with millennia of history, hairpins served as tokens of pledged affection in ancient China. Within their graceful forms reside timeless narratives of human emotion.
In my creations, I capture the most exquisite blooming moments of diverse flowers to express the unique beauty inherent in every sentiment. All plants deserve admiration—just as every emotion, however fleeting, holds intrinsic worth to be cherished, never suppressed.

Zhoulanggu | Wood Sorrel Hairpin | 2025

You’ve published two books – what was the motivation behind documenting your craft in this way?

While introducing the artistry of hairpin craftsmanship, these works primarily guide readers in practicing traditional Chinese techniques. Through diverse multimedia platforms, I aspire to unveil the beauty of China’s hairpin heritage to broader audiences—making it accessible for appreciation and study. This endeavor holds profound meaning for me.