Imagine molding a piece of history with your own hands—literally. At a recent intangible cultural heritage exhibition in China's Hubei Province, Tianmen sugar figurine inheritor Fan Yaotang teamed up with a visitor to create edible art that’s stood the test of time.
Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), these translucent, candy-colored sculptures are made using a rare mix of 'blowing' (like glassblowing but sweeter!) and 'molding' techniques. The catch? Artisans have mere minutes before the sugar hardens—think of it as a high-stakes, sugary dance-off between creativity and science.
Fan’s live demonstration revealed just how precise this craft is: steady hands, controlled breathing, and generations of know-how turn molten sugar into dragons, phoenixes, and other symbols of Chinese culture. 'It’s like 3D printing—but with 1,300 years of soul,' one attendee joked.
For Gen Z travelers and culture buffs, this isn’t just candy—it’s a crunchy, Instagram-ready gateway to China’s artistic legacy. Who knew history could taste this good?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com