The creators of Chinese folk art come from the working class masses of China'srural areas. They are mostly female laborers. A communal art, folk art wouldengender all of Chinese literature and all later art. Its presence is evident ineveryday food, clothing, shelter and transportation; in traditional festivals, cer-emonies and rituals, and in beliefs and taboos. As a living example of culturalheritage, it shows the continuity of Chinese culture from primitive society topresent, a culture that bears distinct national and geographical characteristics.With this heritage, Chinese culture boasts the longest history and the richesthistorical sources, and of all cultures, considers itself the most widely sharedand the most geographically distinct.

(Cultural China Series)