Recently, craftsman Qian Gaochao and his son spent more than six months making three “chicken-blood” stone carvings, which showed the taekwondo and wrestling competitions of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. Qian Gaochao is a national inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of the chicken-blood stone carving. He is working on the other carvings related to the Asian Games in the chicken-blood stone museum in Changhua town, Zhejiang Province.
Chicken-blood stone is one of China’s most valued decorative materials and has been used for centuries to create carved works with unique red markings. With its bright blood-red color, bright crystal-like jade texture, quality and shape, chicken-blood stone is admired all over the world. It is valuable in art because of its adaptability, which can be made into decorations of various sizes and forms. It not only records geological (地质的) changes, but also reflects the productivity of different times, living conditions and folk customs.
The stone has become a cultural symbol of deepening the friendship in diplomatic (外交的) activities. For example, in 1972, the Chinese premier gave Changhua chicken-blood stones to Japan as State gifts. In 1986, a seal of Changhua stone was presented to the US. In 2016, the Changhua stone sculpture “Haliaeetus Albicilla Duda Portrait Seal” was presented to Poland. In September 2016, 36 sets of portrait seals were given as gifts to guests who attended the 11th G20 Summit in Hangzhou.
“As a craftsman, I’m not only doing carving work but also recording the development and changes of our society and remembering the era through my carvings,” Qian Gaochao says. He has created fascinating works, many of which are related to important events in Chinese history and famous people who have made important contributions to the country.
“We are also hiring qualified people to continue to promote these traditional skills,” Qian Gaochao says. “Additionally, we often hold research activities and provide training courses, enabling more young students to understand and learn Chinese traditional culture,” he adds.
【小题1】What are Qian Gaochao and his sons recent works about?| A．Famous sports athletes. |
| B．Beautiful natural scenery. |
| C．International sporting events. |
| D．Ancient folk customs in Changhua. |
| A．It is rare for its unique shape. |
| B．It has a bright blood-red color. |
| C．It is a mirror of the local customs. |
| D．It can be shaped into various designs. |
| A．To present the popularity of chicken-blood stone. |
| B．To show the role of chicken-blood stone in diplomacy. |
| C．To explain the ways to promote Changhua’s economy. |
| D．To prove the importance of Chinese culture in connecting the world. |
| A．He provides free carving courses for qualified students. |
| B．The protection of traditional culture faces great challenges. |
| C．Learning carving skills is not attractive to modern young people. |
| D．He devotes himself to recording Chinese development through carving. |
