The legend of Jihong porcelain

It was extremely hard to produce this kind of porcelain, and the success rate was quite low. The successful production of red porcelain demonstrates the intelligence and dedication of the Jingdezhen people.

A popular local legend says even their blood was sacrificed for their craft. According to the story, Emperor Xuanzong in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) wanted to use red porcelain to worship the sun god, and issued an imperial decree ordering the Jingdezhen kiln to produce it. After many attempts, the craftsmen failed to produce satisfactory porcelain and were whipped, thrown into prison, and threatened with death if they didn't produce what the emperor desired.

Cuilan, daughter of an elderly kiln worker, was very upset when her father was jailed. Enraged at the atrocity, she jumped into the fiery kiln. Two days later, when workers opened the kiln, they were surprised to find the porcelain inside was blood red.

People thought Cuilan's blood dyed the porcelain red and this is how the porcelain came to be called Jihong.