User:Tanruizhi Liu/Huang Daopo

Achievements
'''Huang Daopo is a textile pioneer in Yuan Dynasty. She revolutionalized the world’s textile technology and contributed a lot to this industry.'''

Cotton textile technology

Huang Daopo dedicated her life to cotton textile technology by developing techniques like “ginning, stretching, spinning, and weaving”. In terms of ginning, she figured out a way to get seeds out of the cotton easily by improving Jiaoche. It can spin out three yarns simultaneously by stepping, therefore largely improving the efficiency of the production. In the aspect of stretching, she increased the slingshot’s vibration effect on cotton, thus making it more fluffy. Eventually, people find it easier for yarn spinning in the production process. When it comes to spinning, she changed the original structure of the spinning wheel to reduce the situation of snapping. In weaving parts, she made a reformation of the old tools and added functions like pick-weaving and brocading.

Spread the knowledge out

In Huang Daopo’s hometown, people used to peel the cottonseed by hand, which was slow and troublesome. After she created and invented the new technology, she brought it back to her hometown. By teaching the locals the method of removing seeds by rolling cotton with stirring cars, spinning technology, weaving machinery, and manufacturing, her hometown finally got a higher production rate and produced more fine silk fabrics.

Legacies
Economical and Technological Perspective

''Huang Daopo invented and spread the technology of cotton textile called Wunijing Technology, based on the cotton textile technology of the Li nationality. It consists of three parts: cotton processing, cotton yarn spinning, and cotton weaving. This improved the efficiency and quality of the cotton textile, brought a huge economic impact to the Yangtze River delta region, and laid a foundation for the regional culture in the Yangtze River Delta region.''

Cultural and Spiritual Perspective

''The essence of the culture of Huang Daopo is a kind of textile craftsmanship spirit. The craftsmanship of Huang Daopo was reflected in her selflessly spreading the craftsman spirit. On the other hand, Therefore She was able to get the respect and worship of the villagers of Wunijing, and this established the foundation of its culture of Huang, making it a widely known representative of the Chinese craftsmanship spirit.''

Women's Status’ Perspective

''With the development of Huang Daopo cotton spinning technology for home weaving, women were able to earn more financially. Women had a higher status in marriage and in the family. Women gradually became equal to men, from being subordinate to them.''

Memorial
Huang Daopo Memorial Hall

''Huang Daopo memorial hall opened in the Xuhui district in Shanghai in 2003. It had a 2.2-meter-high statue of Huang Daopo in the courtyard. On the doorpost, it has a couplet saying ”one shuttle goes through the universe, two hands weave cloud clothes”. The horizontal inscription is ”the world of clothes and quilts” written by Zhou Gucheng.''

The Memorabilia

''commemorative stamps. On November 20, 1980, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the People's Republic of China has published a set of 4 commemorative stamps for ancient scientists, of which Huang Daopo was the fourth one. Huang Daopo the first ancient female scientist appeared on the stamp. Commemorative coins. In 1989, The People’s Bank of China published a set of commemorative coins for the outstanding historical figures in China. One of them is with an image of Huang Daopo. The head side is with the national emblem, national number, and year number. On the tail side is the figure of Huang Daopo.''

Memorial day

''According to the folklore, the sixth of the fourth lunar month is the birthday of Huang Daopo. So this day is also called as “bithday of cotton” in China.''

Artistic images
Stage play 《Huang Daopo》

''This stage play is directed by Gao Du, it tells the story of Huang Daopo, who learns and improves the Li People’s textile techniques while living on Hainan Island. It consists of seven parts, combining the folk culture of the Li people with the Chinese textile culture, creating a legendary story about Huang Daopo from the collision and intermingling of cultures. Although it incorporates mythology, the main message of the whole play is to praise and celebrate the contribution made by Huang Daopo. Her image in this play is a laborious, kind, dedicated workwoman.''

Series 《A Weaver on the Horizon》

''This series tells the story base on the turbulent society at the end of the Song Dynasty and tells the story of Huang Daopo, who was in exile on Hainan Island and learns textile techniques there. She is portrayed in this series as a weaver from a poor family who, despite the injustice she suffered in the palace, still has a heart for the people and selflessly dedicates herself to saving the people in distress.''