so she used loess and water to make many little clay figures that looked like her.

They became the earliest humans.

As folk art,

clay figurines have rich connotations,

representing the simple and good wishes of common people.

For example,

a white clay doll implies the blessing for couples to have a cute baby while a tiger doll means the wish for kids to be healthy and strong.

based on the techniques passed down from ancestors,

traditional clay figurines can be divided into many schools.

Huishan clay figurines feature the bright colors and country style.

Fengxiang clay figurines have exaggerated shapes and cute looks.

In Tianjin,

the well-known “Clay Figurine Zhang” originated from the Qing Dynasty and has a history of more than 180 years.

He is praised for his expressive deftness to sculpt lifelike figures.

The clay figurines tell the stories of life. With clay,

Chinese artisans show their nuanced observation of life and present our colorful world.

责任编辑：【李季】