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As of December 2023: a total of more than 100,000 representative items of intangible cultural heritage have been recognised in the intangible cultural heritage lists at the national, provincial, municipal and county levels with Chinese characteristics, of which 1,557 are representative items of state-level intangible cultural heritage, and there are more than 90,000 representative bearers at all levels, of whom 3,056 are representative bearers of state-level intangible cultural heritage; as of 2022, the total number of items inscribed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of the UNESCO is 43, ranking first in the world. By 2022, China will have 43 items on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, ranking first in the world.
The national list divides the intangible cultural heritage into ten categories, five of which were renamed in 2008 and are still in use today. The ten categories are: folklore, traditional music, traditional dance, traditional theatre, performing arts, traditional sports, games and acrobatics, traditional fine arts, traditional arts and crafts, traditional medicine and folklore. Here are 5 famous intangible cultural heritage items you should know about!
Sky Lantern（天灯）
Also known as Kǒngmíng lantern (孔明灯). It is a small balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended. According to the hot air balloon principle, the air is heated by thermal expansion of the heat generated by the lift. The fuel can be lifted up to float for about an hour, at first like an unidentified flying body, rising to a certain altitude after the imitation of the stars.
Sky lanterns are usually released on major festivals such as the Lantern Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
In ancient times, sky lanterns were mostly used for military purposes. In modern times, people release sky lanterns, mostly as a blessing. Men, women and children write down their wishes in their own hands to symbolise a good harvest and success and happiness every year.
Iron Flower (打铁花)
Tiehua is a traditional folk pyrotechnic performance art circulating in the northern region of China, such as Henan Province and Shanxi Province, which belongs to the national intangible cultural heritage. The art originated in the Northern Song Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and has a history of 1,000 years.
During the Spring Festival or other important festivals, the iron smiths hit the hot iron to make sparks in the sky, which signifies a folk activity to drive away evil spirits, avoid disasters, pray for blessings and welcome the new year, and at the same time, it also demonstrates the working people's love for life and their desire for a better future.
Shadow Play (皮影戏)
Also known as shadow puppetry. It is a traditional performing art in which the figures are carved out of animal skins, with flat surfaces and movable joints, and the puppets are manipulated by means of sticks and placed between a light source and a semi-transparent screen, with scripts, music, and spoken words, to tell a story.
In the past, when media such as film and television were not yet developed, shadow puppetry was one of the most popular folk entertainment activities.
Oil- Paper Umbrella(油纸伞)
Oil paper umbrellas are paper or cloth umbrellas originating from mainland China and spreading to various parts of Asia, such as Japan and North Korea, etc. Oil paper umbrellas are one of the traditional items of the Han Chinese, and have been in use for more than 1,000 years.
Oil-paper umbrellas are one of the traditional items of the Han Chinese people and have been used for more than 1,000 years. The umbrellas are made of hand-cut bamboo strips, and the surface of the umbrellas is made of leather and cotton paper coated with natural waterproof tung oil.
Oil paper umbrellas are the earliest umbrellas in the world, handmade and made from natural materials.
Nuo Opera (傩戏)
Nuo opera or Nuo drama is one of China's most popular folk operas. Characterised by its special features such as ferocious masks, unique dresses and adornments, the strange language used in performance, and mysterious scenes.
It has the auspicious symbol of dispelling disasters and bringing good fortune, and embodies the spiritual power of people since ancient times. It has the meanings of driving away ghosts and evil spirits, praying for good fortune, eliminating diseases and disasters, suppressing the house, seeking children, prospering, and bringing unlimited vitality to business.
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