Tongcao Flowers

What Is a Tongcao Flower?

Tongcao Flower is a highly refined traditional Chinese handcraft made from tongcao, a natural plant pith derived from the Tetrapanax plant. The material is sliced into ultra-thin sheets and shaped entirely by hand into delicate petals and floral forms.

A Craft with a Long History

Over 2,000 years of history, traceable to the Qin Dynasty
Used as court hair ornaments for imperial consorts
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, tongcao flowers were exported to Europe as fine handmade goods

Unique Characteristics

Like silk flowers, but far more delicate
Like paper, yet with a natural fibrous sheen
Resembling real flowers, but distinctly “Eastern” in spirit

Tongcao flowers are extremely fragile, difficult to transport, and highly sensitive to humidity. Precisely because of this, they are often described as:

“The ultimate beauty among fragile things.”

How Is a Tongcao Flower Made?

Step 01 · Slicing

The white pith of the Tetrapanax plant is sliced into extremely thin sheets.These sheets are lightweight yet possess a naturally unique texture.

Step 02 · Moisture Control

Tongcao fibers soften when exposed to moisture and become brittle when dry. The shaping process must begin within seconds — this is the most technically demanding stage.

Step 03 · Shaping

Using fingers, tweezers, and scissors, the artisan quickly forms:

Petal curvature
Rolled edges
Three-dimensional stamens
Leaf fiber textures

Any mistake results in the piece being discarded.

Step 04 · Coloring

Step 05 · Assembling

Step 06 · Finishing

Finished works may appear as large decorative panels or bansai-style displays,or as small-scale objects such as ornaments and jewelry.

The Artisan

Deng Zhuo

Deng Zhuo is a fifth-generation practitioner of Tongcao Flower craftsmanship and a direct disciple of Mr. Li Yifan, a recognized representative inheritor of this traditional technique.

Studied Tongcao Flower craftsmanship under Mr. Li Yifan, a district-level representative inheritor
Fully dedicated to the research, creation, and teaching of Tongcao Flower
Artistic style extends from traditional palace designs to contemporary aesthetics
Has worked with collectors and buyers both in China and abroad
Regularly participates in cultural and artistic events, workshops, and exchanges in Beijing and surrounding regions