On every inch of land in China, people have created unique cotton shoes to resist the harsh winter weather. They are not only tools for keeping warm, but also vivid carriers of regional culture.
The bamboo shoes from Northeast China can be regarded as a divine tool for keeping warm on the black soil. In the icy and snowy Northeast, early people's lives were closely connected to ice and snow, giving rise to the emergence of sneakers. It is usually made of cowhide or pigskin, with the upper and sole integrated, thick and sturdy. During production, skilled craftsmen will carefully handle the leather to make it soft and tough. The shoe upper is often equipped with exquisite shoelaces, which not only serve to secure it, but also add a touch of rugged beauty. In order to enhance warmth, people will fill their shoes with wormwood, which becomes fluffy and soft after being pounded. Even in low temperatures of minus 30-40 degrees, it can keep the feet warm. Wearing sneakers, stepping on thick snow, making a "creaking" sound, that is a unique melody in the cold winter of Northeast China. It witnesses the heroic pursuit of prey by hunters in the deep mountains and forests of Northeast China, and also accompanies ordinary people to shuttle through the icy and snowy markets. It is a physical manifestation of the resolute character of Northeast people.
The cotton shoes of old Beijing exude the unique charm of the capital city. Wandering between the hutongs, the cotton shoes worn by the old Beijing people exude a sense of leisure and elegance. The uppers of traditional old Beijing cotton shoes are mostly made of cotton, with simple and elegant colors, mainly in black, blue and gray. The shoes are occasionally decorated with delicate embroidery patterns, or flowers, birds, fish and insects, or the words of happiness, happiness and happiness, which symbolize good fortune. The sole of a shoe is usually a thousand layered sole, made by stacking multiple layers of cotton cloth and manually sewing them one by one. The stitching used to sew the sole is fine and neat, sturdy, durable, and comfortable. The thousand ply cotton cloth shoes are the essence of the old Beijing handicrafts. They carry the historical memory of the capital for hundreds of years. From dignitaries to ordinary people, they have a special liking for them. Under the warm winter sun, the elderly wear cotton shoes and sit at the entrance of the quadrangle courtyard, chatting about daily life, or strolling around historical sites such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. The cotton shoes under their feet seem to be able to converse with ancient buildings, telling the story of the past prosperity and current charm of the capital city.
Looking at the Loess Plateau region in northwest China, the local cotton shoes have a unique style. Influenced by local climate and customs, cotton shoes are mainly made of wool, sheepskin, and other materials, which are thick and have excellent insulation performance. Women often make their own designs by embroidering ethnic patterns on the shoe uppers, such as geometric shapes and sheep horn patterns. These patterns are not only beautiful, but also contain the local people's wishes for a better life and their reverence for nature. Every winter, farmers wear pairs of cotton shoes full of local flavor, walking on the yellow soil with ravines and ravines, working in the fields, going to markets to meet friends. Cotton shoes are stained with the scent of yellow soil and become an indispensable part of their lives.
From Baishan and Heishui in Northeast China, to Hutong and Siheyuan in Beijing, and to the Loess Plateau in Northwest China, cotton shoes from different regions showcase the diversity and richness of regional culture with their unique styles, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound cultural connotations. They are like brilliant pearls scattered on the land of China, connecting the long history and colorful life of the Chinese nation, allowing future generations to explore the footsteps of their predecessors and appreciate the unique charm of various regional cultures through these small cotton shoes.