Craftsmanship Building the Blossom Morning – Hanfu Huazhao Festival, hosted by Suzhou University’s Jintanglian (Golden Mantis) School of Architecture in spring 2025, revives the ancient Huazhao Jie (Flower Goddess Festival), a millennium-old tradition celebrating nature and floral reverence. Partnering with institutions like the Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuozhengyuan) Management Office and multiple university organizations, the event blends cultural heritage with interactive experiences.
Activities include a Huashen Zhaojiling (Flower Deity Summoning Call) for Hanfu enthusiasts to submit themed photos (historic sites, gardens, or campus landmarks), followed by a Huashen Xunyou (Flower Deity Parade) on March 28. A grand Huashen Jihui (Flower Deity Gathering) features traditional performances, handicraft workshops (e.g., dougong bracket assembly), and the crowning of the Shi’er Huashen (Twelve Flower Deities), selected from participants. Prizes range from palace-style perfumes to handmade hairpins.
Held at Suzhou University’s Dushu Lake Campus (March 29-30), the festival invites attendees to don Hanfu, explore floral aesthetics, and reconnect with China’s poetic spring traditions. Through hanfu (traditional attire) and rituals like tying ribbons to blossoms, it bridges ancient customs with modern creativity, fostering appreciation for cultural continuity.
