在中国传统文化中，老虎是百兽之王，被视为祝吉禳灾、趋吉纳福、守护平安的瑞兽，民间女性会在新生儿满月的时候亲手缝制虎头帽、虎头鞋，先在红、蓝为主的土布上画出虎的轮廓，再以缎面绣、盘金绣等传统针线技法勾勒出老虎的神态，细节处用绸缎包裹、以宝石点缀，满月之时亲手给孩子穿戴整齐，借栩栩如生的老虎之威祈盼孩子能够虎虎生威、如虎添翼，坚强勇敢、健康茁壮。

　　In traditional Chinese culture, the tiger reigns as the king of all beasts and is regarded as an auspicious mythical creature that brings good fortune, wards off disasters, attracts blessings and guards peace.

　　In folk tradition, women would hand-make tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes for newborn babies upon their one-month-old full moon ceremony. They first sketch the outline of a tiger on coarse cloth mainly in red and blue tones, then depict the tiger’s vivid features with traditional embroidery techniques such as satin stitch and gold couching stitch. Details are trimmed with silk and satin and embellished with ornaments.

　　At the full moon celebration, the babies are dressed in these handmade tiger-style accessories. People pray that the children will be as vigorous and mighty as tigers, grow stronger with added prowess, and live a brave, healthy and robust life.

　　（通讯员 于方方 孙菁）