It's the blue of tie-dye, the blue of Dali.

Introduction to Dali Tie-dye: 1⃣️- Basic Information: Dali tie-dye is a traditional textile dyeing technique from Dali City, Yunnan Province. It is a national intangible cultural heritage, mainly prevalent in the areas around Erhai Lake in Dali Prefecture and places like Dacang and Miaojie in Weishan County. It is most representative in Zhoucheng Village, Xizhou Town, Dali City. 2⃣️- Historical Origins: Dyeing and weaving techniques existed in the Dali area as early as the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the 16th year of Zhenyuan in the Tang Dynasty, the costumes worn by the Nanzhao dance troupe were tie-dyed. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the dyeing and weaving skills in the Bai ethnic area of Erhai Lake reached a very high level, and dyeing guilds emerged. 3⃣️- Production Process - Tying: On the selected fabric, according to the desired pattern, methods such as crumpling, folding, rolling, and twisting are used to shape the fabric. Then, it is tightly sewn or tied with needle and thread. - Dyeing: The tied fabric is first soaked in clean water and then immersed in a dye vat for cold dyeing or heated dyeing. After a certain period, it is taken out and dried. This process is repeated several times. Finally, it is rinsed in clean water to remove excess dye, dried, untied, and ironed flat. 4⃣️- Artistic Characteristics - Color Matching: Mainly blue and white. The blue is usually dyed with plant-based indigo, while the white is the original color of the fabric, creating a fresh, elegant, simple, and refined visual effect. In addition, there is also colorful tie-dye, breaking through the limitations of traditional monochrome tie-dye. - Pattern Themes: The patterns are mostly related to life, such as flowers, birds, insects, fish, and figures from myths and legends. There are also many natural and flowing lines, reminiscent of traditional ink paintings, containing the rich history and culture of the Bai people. 5⃣️- Cultural Value - Artistic Value: The tie-dye production process is unique, entirely handmade. Each piece is unique due to the different tying techniques and dyeing degrees, possessing a strong artistic appeal. - Economic Value: After the reform and opening up, the Bai tie-dye industry in Dali became a leading local industry, with products exported overseas, creating economic benefits for the area and transforming Zhoucheng Village into a "well-off village" and a "100-million-yuan village" in Dali Prefecture. - Cultural Heritage Value: More than 1,000 patterns contain the rich history and culture of the Bai people. They are an important carrier of Bai customs and aesthetics, playing a significant role in inheriting and promoting Bai culture. - Inheritance and Protection: On May 20, 2006, Bai tie-dye was listed in the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Duan Yinkai, Zhang Shishen, and others were recognized as national representative inheritors of this intangible cultural heritage. In addition, institutions like the Dali Pure Bai Tie-dye Museum and the Bai Tie-dye Inheritance Institute of the Dali Cultural Ecological Protection Experimental Zone have been established to protect and inherit this craft.