Embroidered scene in a hoop: two women in a boat on a lotus pond with fish, birds, and a dragonfly, in traditional Chinese style.

A dreamlike traditional Chinese embroidery scene. On a large embroidery hoop, images slowly emerge: flowers, flowing water, flying birds, a graceful woman, and a painted boat. The green stems and golden cores of lotus flowers are already stitched, but the pink petals are still in progress. A lotus root, full of holes, is difficult to embroider. A woman stands at the bow of the boat, holding a lotus pod, waiting longingly. The lotus seeds must be stitched to express a subtle bitter fragrance. A round lotus leaf large enough to echo with the croaking of frogs. Red fish swim under the needle, their tails lifted as ripples appear across the river. A green dragonfly has only one wing embroidered — she has flown away. The atmosphere is poetic, serene, and filled with delicate detail, in a soft Chinese watercolor style. See more