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Different shapes of Tongxiang's Libendai sachets. [Photo/WeChat account: tongxiangfabu]

In Tongxiang, a county-level city of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival heralds a spike in demand for Libendai, a traditional sachet with deep cultural roots.

Libendai, traditionally worn by newborns for health and safety, are now being sent globally, bringing blessings from elders to shores as far off as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

The creation of Libendai is an art form, requiring precision and patience. Xia Xiaomei, an inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage, has honed her skills for nearly two decades. Work on a sachet begins by filling its core with shredded calendars and newspapers, mixed with ground peach branches. The outer silk layer is then meticulously embroidered with auspicious symbols, forming various shapes from zongzi to dragons.

These sachets are not only decorative but functional, filled with herbs like mugwort to repel mosquitoes.

Xia's Libendai transcend traditional use, becoming trendy accessories like car hangings and keychains. Her innovative use of materials like leather and silk has attracted a younger audience, ensuring the craft's survival.

Dedicated to preserving this intangible cultural heritage, Xia participates in local markets and teaches community classes, sharing the beauty of Libendai. As orders pour in, Xia's commitment to innovation and tradition ensures that the Libendai remain a beloved symbol of Chinese culture, bridging the gap between past and present.