Clutches for Less

Posts Tagged ‘silver ornaments’

Who are the Miao?

Do you think it’s possible to wear 30 pounds of pure silver jewelry from head to foot? Well, the Miao are a nation who proudly show off the beauty with their handmade, elaborately designed silver ornaments in a way that almost covers their entire body! Being a minority group in the mountainous areas of south and southwestern China, the Miao think the glistening silver is a symbol of light that can bring hope and prosperous future. There are so many different kinds of Miao silver ornaments, here are just a few:

Silver headdresses

Miao silver headdresses are quite a sight and are worn only on very special occasions, like weddings or important holidays. They feature three different parts: the horns, the hood, and the hat.

Silver horns: The silver horns are the most important part of a Miao silver headdress, and they are crafted to mimic the horns of an ox. From one horn to another, the headpiece stretches nearly three feet and extends almost the same height. So they can be almost half the height of the wearer!

The designs of the horn are very elaborate. They usually feature a pattern of two dragons playing with a ball. Women place a pair of white feathers onto the horn to make it higher and more beautiful, or adorn the horn with some silver flowers and butterflies.

Silver hat: A silver hat is the base of the headdress and can be a foot tall. It’s completely covered with silver flowers, birds, animals, bells, and

tassels. Behind the hat hang twelve pieces of silver feathers that can hang all the way down to their waist.

Silver hood: The silver hood hangs down from the hat and covers parts of the face and neck. In some Miao areas, there are five glistening ornaments placed on the silver hood, with the biggest one in the middle falling from the forehead and the others dropping around ears.

While in other areas, a silver hood has three layers. The highest layer sports 29 sparkling, round silver flowers. The middle layer sports a bright, round glass at the center, and 14 warriors riding horses standing at each side. The lowest layer is made up with fringes.

Silver hairpins

Miao silver hairpins always feature flowers, birds, and butterflies. The most attractive patterns feature 10 silver flowers laid out just like a Chinese fan. In the flowers are some beautiful, glistening beads, and around the center are five silver phoenixes.

Some hairpins are just like chopsticks with silver bells or tassels adorned on them.

Silver combs

Miao women use a silver comb to decorate their hair. The comb is made of wood with a thin layer of silver slices covered on its surface. On the surface of a comb are designs of birds, flowers, or the image of a Bodhisattva. There are some combs which feature big and long silver chains dropping down.

Silver earrings

Fabulous Miao silver earrings can be in the shapes of flowers, birds, butterflies, dragons, or plants. Miao women like to wear 3 or 4 pieces of silver earrings at the same time. Weighing 200 grams, a single silver reaches directly to their shoulders. But many small earrings have very fine threads which are nearly invisible.

Silver neckbands

Wide silver neckbands are similar to necklaces in the West, but they are rigid and have many pendants hanging down from them. There are many kinds of neckbands popular in the Miao areas.  A dragon silver neckband features two dragons playing with a ball and has 11 different ornaments hanging from it. Another kind of neckband shows off 14 silver rings linked together, with silver birds or flowers dropping from each ring.

Silver bracelets

The Miao silver bracelets are engraved with the images of flowers, fish, or dragons. Some bracelets feature wide bands which is like the cuffs worn by warriors in ancient times. Miao women usually show off many silver bracelets at one time, sometimes more during festivals or holidays.

Silver rings

A Miao silver ring is usually quite small and has fine pieces of silver bent and shaped into flowers, birds, or plants. Some Miao women wear rings on all eight of their fingers, only leaving their thumbs free. Some rings can be half the length of their fingers.

Silver garments

Tiny silver slices or threads are commonly woven into the fabric of Miao clothing. There are more than 40 silver pieces in round or square shape that can be used.When put on a silver garment, the clothing sparkles beautifully with the Miao walking or dancing.

Each piece is engraved with amazing patterns such as phoenix, tigers, lions, butterflies, and flowers.

And sometimes there are about 60 silver bells hanging from the garments, which make sweet and beautiful sounds.

Silver waistbands

A silver waistband features hundreds of silver images of Bodhisattvas sewn on a piece of cloth. The Miao wear it around their waist, and the images shine beautifully when the Miao walk or dance.

Silver anklets

Last but not least are small but sturdy silver anklets that clasp above the foot. Miao children wear silver anklets to ward off evil spirits.