Bodhi leaf embroidery Connecting the past with the present

The combination of embroidery with Bodhi leaves - a symbol of enlightenment and peace in Buddhism - is not only an artistic creation, but also a way to preserve traditional cultural values ​​in the modern flow.

Bodhi leaves - creative embroidery art inspiration

The Bodhi leaf has long been considered a symbol of enlightenment in Buddhism. The sacredness of the Bodhi leaf has inspired artists to choose it as a material to express their works of art.

According to Mr. Hoang Thanh Phuong, founder of the Tay Phuong Bo De Gallery, the inspiration for choosing the Bodhi leaf as the background for embroidery art comes from the sacred meaning of this tree in Buddhism. When chosen as the background for embroidery works, the Bodhi leaf not only brings unique aesthetic value but also conveys profound messages about the harmony between humans and nature, between the soul and art.

Bodhi leaf embroidery paintings are often inspired by spiritual symbols, natural images, or folk tales. Each needle and thread not only shows the craftsmanship but also conveys the emotions and soul of the artisan.

Images, floral motifs, and calligraphy are hand-embroidered on Bodhi leaves.

Embroidering on Bodhi leaves, with its small but sophisticated details, is not only a technical challenge but also a challenge of patience and love for the profession, requiring the ingenuity and delicacy of the artisans. Each Bodhi leaf, with its fragile structure and characteristic shape, has its own natural beauty, creating a wonderful foundation for embroidery works. The artisans must not only have proficient embroidery skills but also need to understand the spiritual value of Bodhi leaves, thereby creating works that are deeply personal and spiritual.

"When looking at a Bodhi leaf embroidery, we not only see the harmonious combination of the natural shape of the leaf and the sophisticated embroidery patterns, but also feel the peace and serenity it brings. Each leaf, each embroidery line carries within it a story, a message about life, about the philosophy of life and the connection between humans and the universe," said Mr. Hoang Hoai Nam, Bo De Tay Phuong gallery.

More candidates for travel gift products

Van Lam embroidery village, located in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, was once known as the cradle of traditional Vietnamese embroidery art. With a history of more than 700 years, embroidery in Van Lam is not only a source of livelihood but also a source of cultural pride for many generations of people here. During its prosperous period, Van Lam village provided many embroidery products for the royal court and noble families. Tablecloths, ao dai, and robes with sophisticated embroidered patterns were meticulously and skillfully created by artisans, contributing to the reputation of the village.

However, in the context of industrialization and modernization, Van Lam embroidery village is facing the risk of extinction in modern life. However, artisans and those who love traditional embroidery are always trying to find new directions so that the art of embroidery will last forever as a traditional cultural feature of the ancient capital. And with that effort, artisans of Van Lam embroidery village and "artists" making Bodhi leaf paintings have "met" to have a new direction: embroidering paintings on Bodhi leaves. This has contributed to preserving and promoting the traditional embroidery craft.

Mr. Vu Thanh Luan, Chairman of Van Lam Embroidery Association said: " When the economy entered the integration period, traditional craft villages were more or less lost. With the output for those products being narrowed, many artisans could not continue to maintain the traditional profession and they switched to many other professions to earn a living. However, by using Bodhi leaves - a sacred symbol and close to spiritual life, artisans have created works of art that are not only beautiful in form but also profound in content. This not only helps traditional embroidery retain those who love the profession but also creates valuable products, suitable for the times, contributing to preserving and spreading national culture".

Furthermore, in the context of spiritual tourism in Ninh Binh increasingly attracting tourists, Bodhi leaf embroidery has great potential to become a bright "candidate" for the position of spiritual tourism gift products. "Tourists bring home not only a work of art but also a part of local culture and beliefs, helping them recall the profound spiritual experiences at the place they have visited. With great potential in becoming a spiritual tourism gift product, Bodhi leaf embroidery promises to contribute to the development of the tourism industry and promote the country's image to the world", Mr. Hoang Thanh Phuong, founder of Bodhi Tay Phuong gallery shared.

Products made from natural Bodhi leaves, combined with handicrafts, create an environmentally friendly tourist gift product, meeting the sustainable consumption trend of modern tourists. Embroidering pictures on Bodhi leaves is a creative way to preserve and develop the embroidery craft, while creating more job opportunities and income for local people. When this product is welcomed by tourists, the traditional embroidery craft will have the opportunity to revive and develop more strongly.

Quynh Trang

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/theu-tranh-tren-la-bo-de-ket-noi-qua-khu-voi-hien-tai/d2024091105531965.htm