Xianmei Huang｜2025 SUSFUTURE 國際永續時尚設計展

／Description and concept of the artwork
作品描述與概念／

Plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—collectively known as the “Four Gentlemen”—are revered as classic and enduring motifs in traditional hand embroidery. Below is a detailed description of hand-embroidered works depicting the Four Gentlemen.

Overall Style and Cultural Significance

Hand embroidery featuring plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum often incorporates elements of traditional Chinese ink painting, embodying a rich Eastern aesthetic. More than mere decorative art, these works represent and transmit the noble virtues celebrated in Chinese culture, such as integrity, resilience, elegance, and restraint.
Such embroidery pieces are commonly presented as a set of four vertical panels, each dedicated to one of the Four Gentlemen. Together, they form a harmonious and unified composition imbued with poetic rhythm and cultural depth.

Use of Embroidery Techniques

To express the distinctive forms and textures of the plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, artisans employ a wide range of embroidery stitches. Flat stitch is often used to define outlines, ensuring clarity and structure. Random stitch, with its interlacing threads, simulates the natural texture of petals and enhances a sense of depth and dimensionality. Couching or rolling stitches are applied to refine the edges of leaves, lending them vitality and realism.
Through the thoughtful combination of different techniques, each stitch and thread conveys subtle elegance, delicately capturing the spirit and character of the Four Gentlemen.

Motif Details

Plum Blossom:
In the composition, several branches of plum blossoms bloom proudly amid wind and snow. The petals appear smooth and delicate, rendered through dense stitching and refined color transitions. Shades range from fiery red and jade-like white to soft pink, creating a rich and nuanced palette. The stamens are embroidered with particularly fine stitches, as if gently trembling, vividly expressing both the resilience and grace of the plum blossom.

Orchid:
The embroidered orchid is characterized by light, flowing lines, often executed in soft blue and lavender threads that evoke a sense of freshness and serenity. The density of the stitches varies subtly across petals and leaves, outlining the orchid’s refined and understated form, as if its delicate fragrance could almost be perceived.

Bamboo:
Bamboo is depicted with firm yet elegant strokes, its lines rising upright and rhythmic, echoing the segmented structure of bamboo joints. Deep green threads define the texture of the leaves, while intersecting lines create layers and depth. The composition conveys bamboo’s harmonious balance of strength and flexibility, as well as its tall, slender posture.

Chrysanthemum:
Several chrysanthemum blooms unfold in the autumn breeze, their petals layered one upon another. Rich gradations of color—from pale yellow to deep crimson—are achieved through meticulous stitching. The petals appear clearly defined and luminous, as if shimmering in sunlight, radiating vitality and life.

梅、蘭、竹、菊被譽爲 “四君子”，是手工刺繡中常見的經典主題。以下是對梅蘭竹菊手工刺繡的詳細描述： 整體風格與文化內涵 梅蘭竹菊手工刺繡往往融合了中國傳統國畫的元素，展現出濃郁的東方韻味。它不僅是一種藝術裝飾，更是對中國傳統文化中高潔、堅韌、淡雅等美好品格的詮釋與傳承。這些刺繡作品通常以四條屏的形式呈現，每幅分別描繪梅、蘭、竹、菊中的一種，整體佈局和諧統一，富有詩意。

針法運用

爲了展現梅蘭竹菊的獨特形態和質感，刺繡藝人會運用多種針法。如平針常用於勾勒輪廓，使圖案清晰可辨；亂針通過交錯排列的針腳來模擬花瓣的紋理，增強立體感；滾針則用於處理葉片的邊緣細節，讓葉子顯得生動逼真。不同的針法組合，使每一針每一線都充滿了韻味，細膩地表現出 “四君子” 的神韻。 圖案細節

梅花：畫面中，幾枝寒梅在風雪中傲然綻放。花瓣如凝脂般細膩，通過細密的針腳和巧妙的配色，展現出紅似火、白如玉、粉如霞的豐富色彩。花蕊部分則以更精細的針法勾勒，彷彿在微微顫動，盡顯梅花的堅韌與嬌豔。

蘭花：刺繡中的蘭花線條輕盈流暢，常採用淡雅的藍紫色線，給人一種清新寧靜的感覺。花瓣和葉片的線條疏密有致，勾勒出蘭花嬌小幽雅的形態，彷彿能讓人聞到那淡淡的幽香。

竹子：竹子的線條深沉而挺拔，線線的力度有節奏地變化，如同竹節的排列。深綠的線勾勒出竹葉的質感，線條的交錯編織出竹子的層次感，展現出竹子剛柔並濟的氣韻和挺拔修長的身姿。

菊花：幾株菊花在秋風中綻放，花瓣層層疊疊。刺繡時運用豐富的色彩變化，從淡黃到深紅，通過細膩的針法將菊花的花瓣繡得層次分明，彷彿在陽光下閃耀着光芒，充滿了生機與活力。