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Unbeatable Chinese Miao silver jewelry art

Who are the Miao?

How do you feel to wear 30 pounds of silver ornaments from head to toe? Well, the Miao are a nation who proudly show off the beauty with their handmade, elaborately designed silver jewelry in a way that almost covers their entire body! The Miao are a minority group inhabiting the mountainous areas of south and southwestern China, and for them silver is a symbol of wealth that can bring hope and prosperity. 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 include three different parts: the horns, the hat, and the hood.

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 like to put a pair of white feathers onto the horn to make it higher and more impressive, or decorate the horn with other kinds of silver jewelry like butterflies and phoenixes.

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. There are twelve pieces of silver feathers hanging behind the hat and reaching 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, the silver hood has five ornaments placed on it, with the biggest one in the middle dropping from the forehead and the others hanging around ears.

While in other areas, a silver hood has three layers. The highest layer has 29 beautiful, round silver flowers. The middle layer has a round glass in the middle, and 14 warriors riding horses at each side. The lowest layer features fringes.

Silver hairpins

Miao silver hairpins always feature flowers, birds, and butterflies. The most striking designs feature 10 silver flowers which look like a Chinese fan. Beautiful beads shine in the flowers and five silver phoenixes fluttering around the center.

Some hairpins are in the shape of a chopstick adorned with silver bells and long tassels.

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. The image of a Bodhisattva, or designs of birds, flowers are often engraved on the surface. Some combs feature long silver chains falling down.

Silver earrings

Intricate Miao unique silver jewelry is often shaped like flowers, birds, butterflies, dragons, or plants. Miao women often wear 3 or 4 silver earrings at the same time. A single silver earring can weigh 200 grams, falling down directly to their shoulders. But many small earrings have threads which are as thin as a piece of paper.

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 various neckbands in the Miao areas.A dragon silver neckband has the image of two dragons playing with a ball and about ten various ornaments falling from it. Another kind of neckband has about 14 connected silver rings, with some silver flowers or birds falling from each ring.

Silver bracelets

The Miao silver bracelets are engraved with the images of flowers, fish, or dragons. A heavy, wide band is the characteristic of some bracelets. Miao women often wear 4 or 5 pairs of silver bracelets at the same time.

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 have rings on their eight fingers, only with their thumbs free. Some rings are 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 carved with beautiful patterns like lions, tigers, phoenix, flowers, butterflies, and dragons.

Also, sometimes as many as 60 silver bells can hang from the garments, which make beautiful sounds and add to the overall look.

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 anklet

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.

LAB MADE CANARY TWEETY BIRD PENDANT $200