Gourd pyrography depicts vast world on small gourds

An inheritor carves a gourd pyrography piece featuring a dragon.  [Photo by Li Dandan for chinadaily.com.cn]

The studio of Si Chun'e, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of the gourd pyrography in Dingtao district, Heze city, Shandong province, is home to gourds of all shapes and sizes. 

Si is completely focused on her work, holding a gourd in her left hand and a specially made electric pyrography iron in her right. As the pyrography iron continuously touches the gourd, wisps of blue smoke and a faint burning smell fill the air. The image of a dragon gradually emerges on the surface of the gourd.

"This year is the Year of the Dragon, so all the artworks I create are themed around dragons. The dragon symbolizes auspiciousness, and the gourd also carries good meanings, representing blessings and prosperity. So by pyrographing dragons onto the gourd, it is like adding extra goodness on top of goodness," said Si.

The art of gourd pyrography is a distinctive traditional art form. According to Si, over the past two decades, she has created countless gourd pyrography artworks, bringing beautiful blessings to numerous households.

In 2022, gourd pyrography was recognized as a district-level ICH, and the influence of the art form continues to expand. (Edited by Huang Junyao)