China Central Television's recently recorded its Qixi Festival gala in Tiantai county, Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, blending traditional performances with local intangible heritage crafts such as "Yi Gen Teng" wood weaving, rice cake molding, and paper cutting.
These cultural practices, rooted in daily life, bring a symbolic connection between timeless romance and everyday warmth.
The Yi Gen Teng wood weaving uses interlocked wooden strips to create endless looping patterns. With no clear start or end, the design symbolizes lasting bonds and harmonious family life. The denser the weaving, the stronger the meaning of togetherness and prosperity.
The patterns on the doors are made through the Yi Gen Teng wood weaving technique. [Photo/WeChat account: Shen Xiu Tiantai]
Another Tiantai tradition is rice cake molding, where freshly steamed rice cakes are shaped into forms such as zodiac animals. These designs represent reunion, love, and good fortune, carrying the sweetness of family gatherings during festive moments.
Two figures are made through the rice cake molding technique. [Photo/Tide News]
Tiantai paper cutting, with its flowing lines and vivid imagery of flowers, animals, and figures, has been practiced for generations. Often featuring motifs of magpies, bridges, and household scenes during Qixi Festival, the art reflects wishes for peace, harmony, and enduring love.
The Tiantai paper cutting. [Photo/Tide News]
Together, these traditions embody the region's cultural identity and add a sense of romance and warmth to the annual Qixi Festival celebrations.
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