Yi Ethnic Silver Jewelry: Heritage & Love Collection (Handmade Adjustable Bracelet, Authentic Chinese Tribal Art)

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When I was 6 years old, my elders at home used a needle to pierce my first ear hole. I remember that I wore a string at that time. Later, I bought a patterned Yi ethnic group earring. (The azalea flower is called “Soma” in Yi language, which is the welcoming flower, symbolizing auspiciousness and happiness.) I liked it very much and wore it all the time when I was a child. After growing up, my mother gave me the earring and bracelet left by my grandmother (maternal grandmother) to her when I was 18 years old. She often said to me, “This is what your grandmother left for me. You should take good care of it.” For me, it is not just a beautiful ornament, but the transmission of time and love.

In my memory, every Yi man and woman will get their first silver ornament at different times. These silver ornaments are also indispensable parts when wearing formal clothes, and they are also indispensable in our blood.

The patterns of Yi ethnic group's silver ornaments are mostly composed of sun, moon, stars, flowers, birds, grass, fish, mountains, rivers, and trees, with beautiful blessings and memories. So in this shooting, I chose the silver ornament shop that every Yi person would go to, the yard where I played when I was a child, Qianhai, and in the ornaments, I chose the hero belt symbolizing courage and strength, the traditional musical instrument kouxian, and the waist belt tightly held by both hands when wrestling.

I returned to my hometown and created “Silver Ornaments and Love”. For me, national culture is like our “root”. No matter where you go, it will always follow you. I enjoy these creations and want to present my hometown culture with my vision. Of course, my hometown will get better and better, and “Silver Ornaments and Love” is not over yet.**