(Photo/Wu Yili)

Han Hengtao, an auto repair graduate in his early 20s, now earns a living by making embroidered shoes by hand in central China’s Wuhan, Chinanews.com reported on Jan. 7.

The tiger-head shoes, which were commonly seen in the 1950s, are perceived as lucky, and were often used to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, said Han, who is the fourth generation in his family to make these embroidered shoes.

(Photo/Wu Yili)

Generally, a pair takes three to six days to make, thanks to a series of complicated procedures, the most time-consuming of which being the process of stitching the soles. In addition to tigers, the shoe heads are also decorated with other lucky animals such as pigs, elephants, cats or rabbits.

(Photo/Wu Yili)

The tiger-head shoes were a part of Han's childhood. He takes time to explain the cultural and symbolic meaning behind his shoes to customers, wishing to carry on the craftsmanship and contribute to the development of Chinese folk art.

(Photo/Wu Yili)