Restoring a colorful tradition to dye for

Artisan revives ancient technique that still captivates a modern audience, Yang Feiyue reports.

Zhang Shuangmin might look a bit haphazard as she drips pigment onto a square container of water. The pigments immediately disperse into small circles once they touch the surface of the transparent liquid, and without wasting any time, Zhang swirls them with an awl in seemingly casual movements.

As minutes pass, the random arrangement of pigments begins to take shape and eventually evolves into stunning floral patterns.

A bigger surprise comes when she gently places a white porcelain plate into the water and lifts it in slow motion. The pattern then magically transfers onto the plate.