Gourd artifacts maker Wang Xuezhe

Gourds are an auspicious symbol among Chinese people. Wang Xuezhe, from Shanxi province completed a luxury set of gourd pieces in only two years. With them, he earned a place in the Guiness Book of Records for having created the most, different types of gourd artifacts. His burst of creativity arose from his affection for the propitious plant. It's a love rooted in his childhood.

Earthy, elegant and unique, these are the characteristics of the gourds made by Wang Xuezhe. Each of his gourds has got a different look. Seven skills are involved in creating the gourd art works - carving, planting in molds, assembling, even embroidering. Often he inscribes poems on his works. Some designs were those favored by ancient Chinese literati, others are auspicious symbols.

Wang is not a professional craftsman. He didn't take up his art until after he retired. His prolific works emerged from his love to the plant and from his natural talent.

Nine years ago, in 1999, Wang earned his place in the Guiness Books of Records - thanks to the diversity and number of his gourd creations. The 45 pieces that earned him his place in Guinness, each boasts a different look. He'd always believed gourds are beautiful plants. He wanted to give them more meaning. His love for the plant is root in his childhood.

Wang Xuezhe, Gourd artifacts maker, siad, " My father liked gourds very much. When I was a kid, he planted gourds all over the yard of our home. In my hometown, gourds are believed to cure disease, ward off evil and invite wealth. So I've had a deep attachment to gourds since childhood.

But the launch of Wang's series owes to his wife. In 1997, Wang retired from his career. He went to work on some souvenirs his wife brought back from a trip."

Wu Suying, Wang Xuezhe's wife, said, " I know he likes gourds very much. Once I went to Beidaihe. In the courtyard of the sanatorium where I lived, there were many, fully grown gourds hanging on the trellis. So I picked out some and brought them back. He was very happy. Then he came up with the idea of making crafts from them. I didn't expect he would finally achieve something with them, even making the Guinness Book."