Though hairpins gleam with pearls and gems, let no life be harmed for feathers. The kingfisher's feathers, v…
Though hairpins gleam with pearls and gems, let no life be harmed for feathers.
The kingfisher's feathers, vivid and elegant, have long been treasured by artisans. According to Han Feizi, people in the pre-Qin period already adorned themselves with kingfisher feathers. By the Song dynasty, the art of "diancui"—extracting pigment from the feathers—flourished. So much so that kingfishers were frequently injured, prompting Emperor Huizong to ban the practice for a time.