中国非遗－苗银 Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage - Miaoyin

I. Historical Origins & Cultural Significance 历史渊源与文化意涵

Origin & Development:

Miao silver jewelry integrates cultural elements from northern nomadic tribes ("jumping ornaments"), southern ethnic groups ("ear pendants"), and Han Chinese traditions ("buyao" hairpins and "wubingpei" amulets), forming a multicultural art form. Its history can be traced back to Ming Dynasty records.

起源与发展：苗族银饰融合了北方游牧民族的“跳脱”、南方民族的“耳档”，以及中原地区“步摇”“五兵佩”等元素，形成多元文化交融的产物，其历史可追溯至明代文献记载。

Spiritual Symbolism:

Silver jewelry symbolizes wealth and embodies Miao totemic beliefs. For example, the "Butterfly Mother" creation myth is intricately carved into designs, serving as a core symbol of ethnic identity. The Miao people also believe silver wards off evil and brings blessings, as seen in newborns wearing silver lock pendants.

精神象征：银饰是财富象征，更是苗族图腾崇拜的具象化表达。如蝴蝶妈妈创世神话被融入银饰造型，成为族群认同的核心符号。苗族人认为银饰能避邪驱灾、祈福安康，新生儿佩戴银锁即为典型例证。

II. Craftsmanship & Artistic Features 工艺技术与艺术特征

Forging Process:

Handmade in family workshops through over 30 steps—melting, hammering, wire-drawing, engraving, and welding—using traditional tools like bellows, crucibles, and chisels. The Huang Neng family in Leishan County has preserved this craft for seven generations.

锻造工序：以家庭作坊手工锻制为主，历经熔银、锻打、拉丝、錾刻、焊接等30余道工序，代表性工具包括风箱、坩埚、錾子等。如雷山县银匠黄能家族传承的锻制技艺，已延续七代人。

Aesthetic Principles:

Grandeur: Silver horns may reach half the wearer’s height.

以大为美：大银角高度可达佩戴者身高的1/2。

Weightiness: Single earrings can weigh 200g; silver necklaces exceed 4kg.

以重为美：单只耳环最重达200克，银排圈重逾8斤。

Complexity: Ceremonial attire combines hundreds of layered silver pieces.

以繁为美：盛装银衣组合部件多达数百件，形成层叠繁复的视觉效果。

III. Categories & Modern Adaptations 品类体系与功能演变

Classifications:

Headpieces: Silver horns, phoenix crowns, forehead bands.

头饰：银角、银凤冠、银抹额。

Necklaces: Crescent-engraved collars, "Kirin Bringing a Child" pendants.

颈饰：月牙錾刻项圈、麒麟送子吊坠项圈。

Clothing Adornments: Silver floral plaques, waist chains, shoulder drapes.

衣饰：银衣花、银腰链、银披肩。

Utilitarian Art: Silver wine sets and tableware blending function with beauty.

器具：银酒具、餐具等生活器物兼具实用与装饰性。

Functional Evolution:

Transitioned from ritual objects to tourist commodities and modern decorative art.

功能拓展：从传统婚丧礼仪用品，发展为旅游商品和现代装饰艺术品。

IV. Preservation & Innovation 传承保护与创新

UNESCO Recognition:

Miao silversmithing was listed in China’s first National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006 (Code Ⅷ-40), jointly nominated by Fenghuang (Hunan) and Leishan (Guizhou).

非遗认证：2006年湘西凤凰与贵州雷山联合申报的苗族银饰锻制技艺入选首批国家级非遗名录（编号Ⅷ-40）。

Living Heritage:

Preserved through "silversmith villages" (e.g., Qiandongnan) and cultural programs in schools.

活态传承：通过“银匠村”集群发展（如黔东南地区）和非遗进校园等模式，推动技艺传承。

Final Note 结语

Miao silver jewelry, with its shimmering brilliance, maps the migration history of an ancient people. Each hammer strike echoes a millennium of cultural resilience.

苗族银饰以其流动的银光记载着族群迁徙的历史轨迹，在锤砧交鸣中延续着千年不熄的文化火种。