The gourd is an auspicious symbol and is believed to ward off evil spirits and 
to bring prosperity to descendants. Because the word gourd (hu lu) in Chinese 
roughly rhymes with fu lu or happiness and high emolument, it is also a symbol 
of wealth. Gourd culture is an important part of Chinese folk culture.

The gourd carving technique in Dongming County, Heze City, Shandong Province is 
an art form that integrates carving, painting, weaving, inlaying and other 
artisan skills. Mu Huimin, the fourth-generation inheritor of gourd carving 
skills in Dongming County, innovates boldly with the skills of his predecessors 
and has enriched the themes and production techniques of gourd art. His main 
works include the Cheongsam Series, the Fuwa Series, the Flower Series and 
other creative works. The image of the works is vivid and expressive, the 
colors bright and fluent, the workmanship exquisite and meticulous, and the 
meaning auspicious and beautiful. They have profound and broad cultural 
meanings and high artistic value.

Source: Information Office of Dongming County People's Government

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   Caption: The Cheongsam Series of Dongming's gourd carving art