Why are Yi Lacquerwares in Only Three Colors of Black, Red and Yellow?

Xide County, located in the north central part of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, is known as the hometown of Yi lacquerware. Lacquerware has been made here for more than 1,700 years. In 2008, the Yi lacquerware painting technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Yi lacquerware is made of high-quality azalea wood, sourwood, camphor wood, etc. There are more than 40 processes, such as log selection, polishing, ash filling, water polishing, priming, painting, cleaning and drying. The colors of Yi lacquerware are mainly black, red and yellow, which are the traditional colors of the Yi people. For the Yi people, black symbolizes nobility and seriousness, red represents hospitality, and yellow signifies the continuity of life. The colors of lacquerware symbolize the aesthetic sense and spirituality of the Yi people, as well as their distinctive ethnic style.

Originated from nature and life, the Yi lacquerware has always accompanied the development of Yi history. It is an important part of Yi traditional culture and a bright pearl that still shines to this day.

Producer: Yang Gu

Chief Supervisor: Chen Jiandong, Song Leyong

Chief Planner: Che Jingwen, Jin Linghan

Script Writer: Yue Pei

Coordinator: Zhou Shuodi, Tao Yanyan, Yang Jingyi

Co-produced by: China Internet Development Foundation and GMW.cn