More than 100 parents and students gathered in Foshan, southern China, to carve lucky horse-head pendants by hand. Working to the sound of mallets and carving knives, they also gained a close appreciation of the appeal of intangible cultural heritage.

Inside the Foshan Museum, exhibits including lanterns, lion heads, and wood carvings offered a window into the city’s traditional craftsmanship and everyday wisdom. In the main lesson, a municipal inheritor of Foshan wood carving explained the art form’s history and techniques, including intaglio and relief carving. With that guidance, the children focused on carving red huali wood pieces using small knives.

From observing heritage to actively participating in it, the children left with more than just a finished pendant—a seed of interest in preserving and passing on the tradition had been planted.