Why Mortise and Tenon Became the Visual Focus of the World Skills Competition
Mortise and tenon made an appearance at the World Skills Competition, showcasing the integration of Chinese traditional woodworking wisdom with modern design From the opening ceremony to the medal design, experience the charm of 7,000 years of craftsmanship and cultural connection
The 48th WorldSkills Competition recently opened in Shanghai, and the traditional Chinese wooden joinery structure known as sunmao has become an important visual element of the event, appearing in the opening ceremony, event branding, countdown installation, award uniforms, and medal design.
The article explains that sunmao requires no nails or glue; it relies on the precise interlocking of wooden components to form a stable structure, with a history traceable back more than 7,000 years. It is not only widely used in ancient architecture, but also reflects the traditional craftsmanship wisdom of adapting to the properties of materials and using flexibility to overcome rigidity.
The medals for this WorldSkills Competition incorporate sunmao and Lu Ban lock elements, and the design team spent nearly a year and revised dozens of drafts before finalizing the design. The organizers said this design also symbolizes the connection between skills, culture, and the world, helping overseas audiences more intuitively understand the combination of Chinese traditional craftsmanship and modern design.