Engraved Masterpieces: Who’s That on Your Lipstick?
The Minutiae of Love
A microcosm in your hand. A masterpiece on a bullet. The icons of any boudoir, beyond their exceptional pigment, smoothness, and longevity, our engraved lipsticks are romantic emblems of ancient artistry. Co-created with master miniature engraver Zhou Chunyi, the Blooming Rouge engraved series narrates four ancient love stories in beautiful, minute form.
Encased in elegant symbols of eternal love, Love Lock lipsticks make the best Valentine's Day gift for your one and only.
Zhang Chang Paints Eyebrows | 张敞画眉
Zhang Chang was a chief administrator under Emperor Xuan during the Han Dynasty. Efficient and just, he applied Confucian principles during his governance and often honored the virtuous and good.
Zhang Chang was also deeply in love with his wife, and every morning he insisted on painting her eyebrows for her before leaving for court. A deeply unorthodox activity for a government official, this sign of affection was all the more touching as his wife had a scar on her eyebrow from childhood. So dedicated to this task was Zhang Chang, that he was even occasionally late for court because of it.
This unusual activity eventually drew public attention, and Zhang Chang became the subject of local gossip among government officials.
One day, Emperor Xuan questioned him on the matter in court, to which Zhang Chang replied:
"I have heard that within private chambers, the intimacy between man and wife is far more than just painting eyebrows. His imperial majesty only need ask me if I have performed my stately duties well. If I paint my wife's eyebrows, what does it matter?"
Impressed by Zhang Chang's answer, the emperor did not condemn him.
Generations later, this simple act became a source of envy and a model of loving affection between couples. Zhang Chang's tender consideration also established him as the archetype of an excellent husband in Chinese history.
The Legend of the White Snake | 游船借伞
One of China's Four Great Folktales, The Legend of the White Snake centers around the touching romance of a white snake spirit called Bai Suzhen and a man named Xu Xian.
On the day of the Tomb Sweeping Festival, Bai Suzhen and her close companion and maid, Xiaoqing, decided to transform themselves from a white and green snake to two young women. As they boarded a boat to travel across the West Lake, they became acquainted with another passenger, Xu Xian, a talented herbalist.
A light rain fell as they chatted during their journey. Noticing that the wharf steps were slippery as they approached the shore, Xu Xian helped the women disembark and offered his umbrella to shield them from the rain as they departed. Later, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen fell in love and eventually married.
The couple's happiness was interrupted when a monk, Fa Hai, informed Xu Xian that his wife was a monster. As proof, he asked Xu Xian to offer his wife realgar wine during the Duanwu Festival. Forced into her true snake form, Bai Suzhen's appearance caused Xu Xian to die of shock.
Desperate to save Xu Xian, Bai Suzhen traveled with Xiaoqing to steal a magic herb to bring him back to life. Once revived, Xu Xian declared his love to Bai Suzhen despite her true form.
Fa Hai once again tried to separate the couple, but after braving further death, danger, and imprisonment, Fa Hai was eventually defeated and Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian were reunited.
Flowers Blooming on the Pathway | 陌上花开
Qian Liu was a warlord of the late Tang Dynasty and the founder of the Wuyue Kingdom. Beyond his political and military abilities, Qian Liu is also remembered for his romantic affection for his wife. Every spring, Lady Wu would travel back to her hometown for a few days, and Qian Liu missed her so deeply that he penned a letter with the touching sentence:
“陌上花开,可缓缓归矣。”
"The flowers on the pathway are in full bloom, you may unhurriedly return."
Though simple in syntax, this sentence implies a multitude of meanings. On the surface, it is an invitation to Lady Wu to appreciate nature's beauty at her leisure as her husband awaits her return. But upon closer reading, Qian Lin's urgency becomes apparent. The spring flowers have already bloomed, and he yearns for his wife to return home—just like an ordinary husband.
The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl | 鹊桥相会
Another of China's Four Great Folktales, the myth follows the star-crossed romance of the weaver girl and the cowherd, symbolizing the stars Vega and Altair.
In ancient times, the weaver girl became tired of weaving beautiful clouds of celestial silk tinged with sunset hues. Yearning for more, she traveled to the mortal world, fell in love, and married the cowherd.
Upon discovering the weaver girl's actions, the Goddess of Heaven was furious. Capturing the weaver girl, she drew her gold hairpin and created the heavenly river (the Milky Way), and banished the lovers to opposite shores.
Once a year, the couple were permitted to meet on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Moved by the couple's unwavering love, a flock of magpies formed a bridge across the river so they could reunite on that one precious day.
This romantic day is now celebrated as the Qixi Festival (七夕, qī xī), or, Chinese Valentine's Day.
2 commentaires
These lipsticks are incredible. The designs are amazing especially the stories behind them which I never knew about and it was very interesting to learn about them too .absolutely beautiful
Kierra
These lipsticks are incredible. The designs are amazing especially the stories behind them which I never knew about and it was very interesting to learn about them too .absolutely beautiful
Kierra
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