5.2 How to make Ronghua Peony

The peony, hailed as the "national beauty and heavenly fragrance" and the "king of flowers," is admired for its resplendent colors and elegant, luxurious demeanor. The Tang dynasty poet Xu Ning once praised it in verse: *"Who does not love the peony flower? It claims the city's finest splendor. As if crafted by the goddess of Luo River, a thousand charms in myriad forms break through the morning clouds."* With its layers of overlapping petals and a dazzling array of hues, the peony is not only a masterpiece of nature but also a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, deeply cherished by people.

 

Making Steps

(Image annotation: Velvet row color gradation lightens from right to left)

01 The color arrangement for the four peony petal sizes is as shown. Designate them from right to left (small to large) as a, b, c, d, all using 0.2mm copper wire for the framework.

• a: Quantity 13 sets. Velvet row width 4.7cm, wire spacing 1.4cm.
• b: Quantity 17 sets. Velvet row width 5.9cm, wire spacing 1.8cm.
• c: Quantity 22 sets. Velvet row width 7cm, wire spacing 2.2cm.
• d: Quantity 26 sets. Velvet row width 8.5cm, wire spacing 2.4cm.

Note: If the velvet row for set 'd' cannot be properly supported by 0.2mm wire, consider using 0.25mm wire as needed.

(Image annotation: First make three cut notches; Trim the notches smooth)

02 Taking petal 'a' as an example: after normal folding, flattening, and shaping with setting water, trimming is required. For this petal type, first make cut notches, then trim those notched areas smooth to avoid unnecessary waste.

03 The shapes and quantities for petal sets a through d are as shown.

(Image annotation: Inward-curving contour)

04 Prepare one 'a' petal. Run a heated curling iron (or similar flat iron) from the base to the tip of the petal, using the iron's edge to create an inward-curving arc.

05 Use the iron's edge to curve both sides of the petal inward as well. (Caution: Avoid burning your fingers.)

(Image annotation: Tip and edges all show inward curve)

06 The entire 'a' petal should exhibit an inward curve on all edges.

07 Note when shaping 'b' petals with heat: two shapes, b1 and b2, need to be created as shown.

08 The heating technique for b1 petals is the same as for 'a' petals. First, use the iron from bottom to top to create an inward curve, then curve the edges inward. The b1 petal overall also presents an inward-curved state.

09 For b2 petals, first create an overall inward-curving arc from bottom to top.

(Image annotation: Top flared outward; Mid-section to base maintains inward curve; Back facing up; Use iron to shape inward)

10 Then flip and curl the tip outward with the iron, creating a flared effect at the top.

11 After the overall contour is shaped, turn the petal with its back facing up. Use the iron to press inward along the dotted lines shown (on the petal's sides).

(Image annotation: Front; Back)

12 The front and back effects of the b2 petal are as shown.

13 Perform the same technique used for b2 petals on the 'c' and 'd' petal sets.

14 All petal types and their quantities are as shown.

15 Fold two bunches of flower stamens in half.

16 Place 6 'a' petals as shown.

17 Next, place 5 b1 petals.

18 Place 6 b2 petals for the next layer.

19 Then place 6 'c' petals.

20 Bind two 'd' petals together as a set using silk thread and place them on the outermost layer. The purpose of binding is to extend the petals, creating a visual effect of larger petals.

21 After extension, 6 'c' petals can be used at the base for coverage.

22 Use 8 'a' petals to make a small flower bud.

23 Add 6 b1 petals to the previously made small bud to create a large flower bud.

24 The finished large flower and small bud are as shown.

25 Now begin making leaves. The leaf color arrangement is as shown.

• Left leaf: Quantity 10 sets. Velvet row width 4cm, wire spacing 2.3cm.
• Right leaf: Quantity 7 sets. Velvet row width 3cm, wire spacing 2cm.

26 Flatten the leaves in one direction, reinforce, and trim into leaf shapes.

27 The leaf quantities are as shown.

28 Combine the large flower bud with the leaves.

29 Add the small flower bud. (Note the hierarchy; the large bud should be positioned higher than the small bud.)

30 Add a painted white butterfly.

31 Assemble the last set of leaves facing backwards/upwards.

32 Bind everything together with the main hairpin body.

(Image annotation: Leaves folded back / Fold transition point here)

33 After securing the main body, finally fold the leaves back in the direction shown.

34 The overall flower form construction is complete.

See the Ronghua Peony video: https://youtu.be/mUVuFCjt780

 

Tip: If using hairspray for setting, note there are soft-hold and hard-hold types. If using heat-shaping techniques (e.g., with a floral iron or flat iron), use soft-hold hairspray. If using wet-shaping techniques, harder-hold hairspray can be used. If using setting water, this consideration is unnecessary.