Yan Wei makes wedding candles in his workshop. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]
In China, traditional wedding candles, adorned with intricate dragon, phoenix, and floral motifs, are rare and exquisite cultural artifacts. However, the art of making these candles once faced the threat of fading into obscurity.
Yan Wei, an artisan in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, born in the 1990s, took it upon himself to breathe new life into this fading tradition. Over two years, he researched materials and learned the craft from scratch.
Despite the complexity and time-consuming nature of the traditional process, Yan's dedication shone through as he honed his skills, meticulously perfecting each step from paper cutting to casting.
Yan believes that the vibrancy of the candles lies in their diversity. While preserving the traditional techniques, he introduced new elements, producing innovative candles such as pink dragon candles, Morandi color candles, and scented candles.
Additionally, he expanded into cultural creative products and interactive handicraft experiences, rejuvenating the market for traditional candles.
Yan's efforts have paid off. In recent years, an increasing number of customers have turned to him for custom wedding candles, drawn to the essence of Chinese romance encapsulated in his creations.
Looking forward, Yan aims to continue his exploration, blending more unique elements into his craft to ensure the preservation and evolution of this intangible cultural heritage item for future generations.
