Leadership Insights | Illustrated Lectures:Helan Inkstone: Carving Love for Homeland on Rocks along the Silk Road

Helan inkstone carving technique is a representative national intangible cultural heritage of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Originating in Yinchuan City, it has a history of more than 1,300 years. Its core material is Helan stone from the Zixia rock layers of the Helan Mountains. Noted for its delicate and glossy texture and moderate hardness, this kind of inkstone boasts three key qualities: quick ink release, long ink preservation, and brush protection, hence its reputation as one of China’s “four famous inkstones.”

The making process includes five key steps: quarrying, material selection, designing, carving, and polishing. Artisans create inkstones based on the natural texture and color distribution of the stone, using techniques such as relief carving and openwork carving. The technique called “Qiaocaidiao” (literally, “exquisite color carving”) is particularly famous—skillfully utilizing the color contrast between the purple base of the stone and the bluish-green veining to carve unique patterns such as rock paintings and landscapes of the regions around the Great Wall. Inkstones in traditional forms such as “Gourd Inkstone” and “Dragon and Phoenix Inkstone” are the most representative, which combine practicality and artistry. As an important carrier of Silk Road culture, Helan inkstone embodies the humanistic spirit and craftsmanship of northwestern China, and their preservation and development are of great significance for promoting the integration of culture and tourism and for inheriting Chinese cultural heritage.

Along with the development of the times, this traditional craftsmanship has been better preserved, with more and more people participating in the making and studying of Helan inkstones, leading to the emergence of a group of outstanding inheritors. The production techniques have been continuously improved and innovated, with more diverse expressions in carving methods and inkstone shapes. The craftsmanship has also taken solid steps in integrating culture, creativity, and technology. Modern technologies are used to analyze the characteristics of Helan stone and improve inkstone carving precision. Besides, many cultural and creative products themed on Helan inkstones have been developed, including small Helan stone accessories and indoor ornaments. In addition, through promotion and publicity efforts on the internet, Helan inkstone culture has spread to a wider audience and increased its influence.

We must firmly carry out systematic protection of intangible cultural heritage, better meet the people’s growing spiritual and cultural needs, and increase cultural confidence and strength.

監製:蔚力

策劃:丁素雲

文案:楊俊康