Product Description
Antique Miao Baby Hat 2
Material: Cotton
Style: South China
Size: Height 15 cm, Diameter 14 cm
Order Number: MHSAMBH2
The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.
Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.
During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.
Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. Their clothes are often black but can be colourful and artistic. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.
Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange, yellow and white, often on a black or blue background.
Mountains, butterflies, flowers and birds from Miao mythology are often embroidered. The Miao believe they are descended from the Butterfly Mother, who laid 12 eggs. One hatched and became the Miao people. The other eggs became the other animals in the world, so that the Miao would not be lonely. Daily village life is also depicted.
From the age of 6 or 7 girls start to learn needlework, weaving and dyeing. Those living near water embroider fish and shrimp designs and those living near mountains embroider flowers and birds. They also used geometric patterns. The designs are delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor. Before marriage they are busy making their wedding trousseaux (jiazhuang).
Miao baby hats provide protection from evil spirits, demons, and ghosts. They are also designed to inculcate the baby with happiness, long life, wealth, health, beauty, courage, grace and academic success.
The Chinese words for ‘cat’ and ‘butterfly’ sound the same as the words for ‘octogenarian’ or ’80 year old ‘ and ‘septuagenarian’ or ’70 year old’, hence cats and butterflies symbolise a wish for longevity.
The butterfly is also a symbol for happiness and 2 butterflies are for marital happiness. It also symbolises summer and joy. They are often shown with poenies, which symbolise prosperity. Colourful butterflies often adorn baby hats.
Baby hats are sometimes decorated with pomegranates. Red pomegranates, with many green seeds inside, have a sweet and sour taste. They came from Mongolia during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The word for ‘seed’ is a hononym for ‘child’ (two words with the same pronunciation but different meanings). So, plenty of seeds, plenty of children.
Charms and designs are put on children’s hats to protect them from evil spirits and harm. Tigers or just their bulging eyes decorated boys’ hats, but not girls’ hats. Sometimes they wore matching tiger shoes. The tiger symbolises courage, dignity and ferocity. The Chinese symbol for tiger is often written on the hat. Stone tigers in front of temples ward off ghosts, thieves and fire.
During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.
Mid 20th century.
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