Hu Shuqing shows her collection of tiger-head shoes in Qixian County, Central China’s Henan Province. Hu has collected hundreds of thousands of tiger-head shoes in diverse styles and colors in 17 years, which are valued over one million yuan ($145,000). She became interested in the collection after receiving a pair of shoes from others as a gift. In Chinese culture, people believe shoes with tiger patterns can help ward off evil spirits and make children become as robust as tigers. To make tiger-head shoes is a time-consuming work that requires exquisite embroidery and needlework. The tiger’s mouth, eye, eyebrow and nose are often given exaggerated outlines to express its power. Hu has called for protection of the traditional Chinese folk handicraft. (Photo/people.cn)
