Embroidery, a folk art with a long tradition, it plays an important part in the history of Chinese arts and crafts. Embroidery not only contains the essence of painting and calligraphy, but also presents traditional Chinese culture through the colorful threads of the skilled embroiderer. Embroidered are quite diverse and include robes, theatrical costumes, purses, shoes, spectacle cases, banners, alter cloths and many other pieces. Some of the pieces were so finely stitched that the pieces took 5-6 people several years to complete.

In 1958, a piece of silk embroidered with a dragon and phoenix was discovered in a state of Chu tomb of the Warring Sates Period (475-221BC). So it is the most earliest piece of Chinese embroidery ever discovered. Embroidery became widespread during the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) and many embroidered pieces discovered date back to that period.

Embroidery was used as a decoration of silk clothing and silk flags and banners as a means of denoting rank or status. The finest pieces of work were very expensive. As the embroidery developed, it gradually as a trendy stuffs for wealthy ladies and many members of the court were renowned for their intricate work.

The stitches most commonly used by the Chinese include 1) satin stitch – which is further classified into long and short 2) Beijing stitch or French knot 3) Stem stitch; 4) Couching; 5) Chain stitch; and 6) Split stitch. All of these stitches are known in the west. Many westerners find Chinese embroidery a little over done. The Chinese satin stitch when done to perfection is exquisite in its fine detail.

Today, silk embroidery is practiced nearly all over China. The Four Famous Embroideries of China refer to the Xiang embroidery in central China's Hunan Province, Shu embroidery in western China's Sichuan Province, Yue embroidery in southern China's Guangdong Province and Su embroidery in eastern China's Jiangsu Province.