Silken Chronicles: The Timeless Weave of Ling, Luo, Chou, and Duan

山水闲人Jane
8月28日
讀畢需時 3 分鐘

丝路华章：绫罗绸缎的千年织语

IAK Intangible Cultural Heritage Series: The splendid heritage and cultural charm of four traditional Chinese silks

IAK非遗文化系列之绫罗绸缎：四种丝织品的华美传承与文化韵味

In the magnificent tapestry of Chinese civilization, Ling (绫), Luo (罗), Chou (绸), and Duan (缎) stand as four dazzling pearls. These traditional silk fabrics carry the legacy of millennia-old weaving craftsmanship and cultural heritage. They are not merely materials for clothing but symbols of ancient rituals and aesthetics — living wisdom passed down through generations in China’s intangible cultural heritage.

在中华文明的绚烂织锦中，绫、罗、绸、缎四种丝织品如四颗璀璨明珠，承载着千年织造工艺与文化传承。它们不仅是服饰的材质，更是古代礼仪与美学的象征，是中华非物质文化遗产中一脉相承的“活的智慧”。

Ling — Thick and Sturdy, Majestic and Elegant

绫 — 厚重挺括，庄严典雅

Ling, with its dense and sturdy weave, lends the fabric a strong and crisp texture. It was the fabric of choice for emperors and officials, symbolizing authority and dignity. Every bolt of Ling embodies exquisite craftsmanship, as if infused with the wisdom of ages — solemn yet graceful.绫，以其厚实致密的织造结构，赋予面料坚韧挺括的质感。它是帝王将相礼服的首选，象征着权威与尊贵。每一匹绫，都蕴含着匠人精湛的技艺，仿佛凝聚了岁月的沉淀，庄重而不失风雅。

Luo — Lightweight and Breathable, Graceful as the Wind

罗 — 轻薄透气，灵动若风

Luo is light and delicate like a fine mesh, soft and breathable like morning dew. Often used as lining or embellishment, it adds layers and movement to garments. Like ribbons dancing in the wind, Luo tells stories of the gentleness and grace of Eastern women, filled with tenderness and poetry.

罗质地轻盈，细腻如网，轻柔透气，似晨露般清凉。它常被用作衬里与点缀，增添服饰的层次与灵动。罗如风中轻舞的丝带，诉说着东方女性的温婉与飘逸，蕴藏着无尽的柔情与诗意。

Chou — Smooth and Delicate, Warm and Jade-like

绸 — 光滑细腻，温润如玉

Chou boasts a smooth and delicate surface, soft and warm to the touch, combining practicality with beauty. It is the companion of daily wear, reflecting people’s pursuit of comfort and elegance. Thread by thread, Chou flows like water, carrying the leisure and refinement of the ancients.

绸的表面光洁细腻，手感柔软温润，兼具实用与美感。它是生活中日常服饰的良伴，映照着人们对舒适与雅致的追求。丝丝缕缕中，绸如流水般流淌着古人的闲适与雅致。

Duan — Lustrous and Radiant, Luxurious and Noble

缎 — 光泽耀目，华贵典雅

Duan’s unique weaving technique produces a dazzling shine and silky texture. It is the perfect choice for high-end ceremonial robes and court decorations — luxurious, elegant, and awe-inspiring. Duan reflects history’s brilliance like a mirror, shining as a brilliant star in intangible cultural heritage.

缎以其特殊的织法，展现出夺目的光泽与顺滑的质地。它是高级礼服与宫廷装饰的绝佳之选，华贵典雅，令人心生敬仰。缎布如镜面般反射着历史的光辉，闪耀着非遗文化的璀璨星光。

Heritage is not merely preservation, but the continuation of life

传承，不只是保存，更是生活的延续

IAK Culture Association is dedicated to bringing the precious traditional craft of Ling, Luo, Chou, and Duan out of museums and into modern life. Through intangible cultural heritage experience events in Switzerland, we invite more people to feel the texture and aesthetics of these four silks and to understand the cultural spirit they embody.

IAK文化协会致力于让绫罗绸缎这一珍贵的传统工艺走出博物馆，走进现代生活。我们在瑞士举办非遗文化体验活动，让更多人感受这四种丝织品的质感与美学，理解其中蕴含的文化精神。

From festive attire to everyday clothing, Ling, Luo, Chou, and Duan teach us to honor history and cherish craftsmanship, making “life itself an art” a reality. Every inch of silk tells a story of a nation’s passion for beauty and love for life.

从节日盛装到日常服饰，绫罗绸缎教会我们尊重历史，珍惜手工艺，更让“生活即艺术”成为可能。每一寸丝绸，都在诉说着一个民族对美的执着与对生活的热爱。

Culture is like silk, intricately woven,Ling, Luo, Chou, and Duan — a millennia of splendor. Together with IAK, Let us continue the legend of Eastern textiles on the loom of time.