Born into a family of artisans, Pasang Dekyi, a 20-something inheritor of Xizang embroidery, has dedicated herself to sustaining this 600-year-old intangible cultural heritage by weaving tradition into contemporary life.
"Xizang embroidery is not something to hang on a wall and forget. It carries warmth and stories in every stitch. When people truly see it, it can become part of their everyday lives," Pasang Dekyi said in an exclusive interview with China Daily.
A distinctive art form of the people of the Xizang autonomous region, the applique embroidery combines folk handicrafts with painting techniques. Unlike traditional thangka paintings, it uses silk, brocade and other fabrics cut and pieced together, then layered to create a three-dimensional effect, like a relief on cloth.
A basic applique thangka takes three to five months to complete. It involves more than 10 precise steps, from preparing the base and selecting materials to matching colors, cutting shapes, stitching, layering and final ironing.
"For me, beyond the facial details, the hardest part is choosing the right materials and integrating them seamlessly," Pasang Dekyi explains.
"Every Xizang embroidery piece has a soul. The essence lies in cutting, stacking, and pasting," Pasang Dekyi emphasizes, adding that core craftsmanship must never be compromised, even for innovation.
When it comes to patterns, the traditional Eight Auspicious Symbols — such as the parasol, golden fish and treasure vase — are commonly featured alongside floral motifs, lion designs and dragon patterns.
Each element conveys layered meanings, from blessings and prosperity to protection and harmony, she says.
Pasang Dekyi's connection to the craft began long before she consciously chose it. Raised in a family deeply engaged in handicrafts, she absorbed its rhythms naturally.
"I didn't realize I was learning it at first. Later, I understood it had already become part of how I live, not just a career decision," she recalls.
While studying at university, Pasang Dekyi formally joined the family workshop. It was then that she decided to devote her life to Xizang embroidery.
"I chose this path over civil service exams or the internet industry because I value the calm and focus it brings. Each stitch keeps me grounded," she says.
