In the vast and profound folk culture of China, blowing sugar figures, as a unique folk art, not only carry the sweet memories of childhood, but also the crystallization of the wisdom and skills of traditional craftsmen. With the acceleration of urbanization and the influence of modern lifestyles, the tradition of sugar blowing people is gradually fading away, but the cultural significance and techniques behind it are still worth exploring and cherishing in depth.
The Origin and Development of ChuiTangRen
The history of ChuiTangRen can be traced back to the Han Dynasty, when people used the technique of boiling sugar to make various shapes of candies. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, blowing sugar figurines gradually developed into a popular folk art form. Initially, this technique was mainly popular in northern regions, especially in Beijing and Hebei. Artists usually showcase their skills in markets or festivals, attracting the attention of passersby.
The main raw materials used by ChuiTangRen are white sugar or maltose, mixed with a small amount of water and food coloring, heated and stirred until the syrup begins to thicken. Then, skilled sugar artists blow syrup into various cute shapes, creating vivid images such as mice, rabbits, flowers, and birds. Especially during festivals, blowing sugar is not only a popular dessert for children, but also a great gift for family and friends, symbolizing good wishes.
The production process of the sugar blowing person
The process of making ChuiTangRen is both simple and complex. Firstly, the artist puts sugar into a pot, adds water, and turns on low heat to simmer. As it is heated, the syrup will gradually become viscous, and artists need to pay close attention to the heat to ensure that the syrup does not burn or saccharify. When the syrup reaches a suitable temperature for blowing, the artist pours it onto a slate coated with a thin layer of oil, cools it slightly for a moment, and then proceeds to the final blowing process.
The most crucial step in the art of blowing sugar is’ blowing ‘. Artists blow up syrup with their mouths to create various shapes. During this process, the artist’s lips, tongue, and fingertips need to work together flexibly to shape the syrup. This process requires extremely high skills and experience, not only accurate judgment of the temperature and viscosity of the syrup, but also control of the blowing force and technique.
In addition, in order to enhance the beauty and attractiveness of sugar figures, artists often dye syrup in different colors and use this technique to blow produce outstanding and brightly colored works. When presenting large-scale works, artists often combine trendy elements to cater to the aesthetic needs of young people and fully unleash their creativity.
The Cultural Connotation of ChuiTangRen
Blowing sugar syrup is not only a folk skill, but also an important part of traditional Chinese culture. In many places, especially during festivals in the north, Tangren’er, as a special delicacy, carries people’s expectations and blessings for the festival. In traditional festivals such as the New Year and the Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival) Festival, sugar figurines symbolize reunion, happiness and happiness. Whether as a gift to share with family and friends, or as a holiday snack for children, it symbolizes people’s yearning for a better life.
In addition, each shape of the sugar blower has its own special meaning. For example, Sugar Mary (also known as Sugar Rabbit) represents the hope of reproduction, while Sugar Fish symbolizes the beautiful vision of surplus every year. These symbolic sugar arts reflect the pursuit of a better life in traditional Chinese culture, showcasing people’s beliefs and emotions.
The Modern Inheritance and Development of ChuiTangRen
With the changing times, the traditional skill of blowing candy faces many challenges. In the fast-paced modern life, traditional skills are gradually being forgotten, and the younger generation’s awareness and interest in them are also weakening. However, it is precisely due to the scarcity of this tradition that the protection of many intangible cultural heritages has gradually received attention, and relevant institutions and individuals have begun to devote themselves to the inheritance and development of the “blowing sugar” culture.
In some cultural festivals, folk activities, and school curricula, the way of parent-child interaction not only allows children to learn about this traditional skill, but also makes the blowing process of sugar figurines a fun part of family parent-child interaction. Many handicraft schools have also started to establish courses on sugar blowing to cultivate a new generation of sugar artists. Through these methods, not only can we enhance young people’s awareness and interest in traditional culture, but we can also ensure that this excellent folk art can still be passed down in contemporary times.
The sugar blower is not only a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, but also a bridge connecting the past and the future. Only by finding a balance between inheritance and innovation, and allowing this long-standing folk art to continue, can the sweetness of “sugar” nourish our hearts and lives. I hope that in the future, more diverse ChuiTangRen can return to people’s sight and become the new favorite of the times.
