In terms of ornaments, the nationality with the title of the largest amount of ornaments should be the Miao ethnic group, whose ornaments are almost all made of silver. It is fair to say that Miao silver ornaments are the most outstanding among all nationalities. Miao girls have always enjoyed the good reputation of “Surpassing the beauty of a goddess when they wear bright-colored clothes and silver ornaments”.

Whenever they need to dress up, they must wear silver ornaments. There are a big variety of types including silver hair pins, silver cattle horns, silver hats, sliver combs, silver fans, silver neck rings, silver earrings, silver shawls, silver chest locks, silver waist chains, silver bells, silver bracelets and silver finger rigs etc..

The Miao people’s penchant for silver ornaments stems from their love of beauty, wealth and dignity. The purpose of wearing all this silver is of course primarily aesthetic, but it also shows affluence and is thought to ward off evil spirits. The color of silver symbolizes the Miao people’s character of fearing no tyranny and being impervious to temptation of wealth and position. It is also said that wearing silver ornaments helps keep evil at bay. Silver ornaments can also be used as a symbol of a person’s marital status or as a betrothal gift.

The silver ornaments bear a strong cultural message. The patterns range from ancient totem to historic legend. Historians view it as the “Wearable History Book”. We can say that silver ornaments are forming a historical poem of the Miao ethnic group.

The love for silver ornaments

Miao people love silver ornaments. No matter where they live, the costumes of Miao people, especially silver ornaments, will become the highlights and most popular scenery of humanities.