On April 4, 2025, the ancient town of Xinshi in Huzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, came alive with vibrant colors and performances as the annual Silkworm Flower Temple Fair got underway. Celebrated during Qingming, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, the festival is a cherished tradition where locals pray for a rich cocoon harvest.
The festival featured a variety of captivating folk performances that drew crowds of locals and tourists alike. Highlights included a magnificent procession of elaborately decorated flowered sedan chairs and the enchanting tradition of scattering silkworm flowers over the water’s surface.
Women dressed as “Silkworm Flower Maidens” showcased exquisitely crafted silkworm flowers at the fair. These flowers, made using traditional silk-making techniques, symbolize abundant harvests and divine blessings. Through these activities, sericulturists express their deep appreciation for sericulture and their optimistic hopes for the future.
Holding silkworm flower temple fairs during early April, precisely in the Qingming period, is a longstanding silkworm-related custom in the Taihu Lake area. This region has been renowned for mulberry silk production since ancient times, making the festival an important cultural and agricultural event.
The Silkworm Flower Temple Fair not only preserves traditional practices but also brings the community together, highlighting the rich heritage of sericulture in east China. The vibrant celebration offers a unique glimpse into local customs, attracting visitors eager to experience the fusion of history and culture.
