Loong-shaped dough sculpture ready for Chinese New Year

Workers help Xie Yunxian decorate a loong-shaped dough sculpture in preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, January 23, 2024. /CFP

A giant loong-shaped dough sculpture is seen featuring a variety of decorations in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, January 23, 2024. /CFP

Dough sculpture inheritor Xie Yunxian creates a loong-shaped dough sculpture to herald the upcoming Chinese New Year in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, January 23, 2024. /CFP

Dough sculpture inheritor Xie Yunxian creates a loong-shaped dough sculpture to herald the upcoming Chinese New Year in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, January 23, 2024. /CFP

Xie Yunxian, an inheritor of dough sculpture, spent two weeks creating a 2-meter-high loong-shaped dough sculpture to usher in the upcoming Chinese New Year in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province. According to the traditional Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the Year of the Loong (Dragon). Xie created this artwork with the auspicious symbols to convey blessings. As a popular form of folk art, dough sculptures are usually made from colorful clay or glutinous rice flour in a variety of shapes and styles.