In the past, embroidery was considered more decorative than artistic, and needlework in general was thought of as inferior to painting and calligraphy.
宋代書畫藝術極發達，此後刺繡也逐漸由實用功能轉化為供人欣賞的藝術品。有些人以為刺繡在創作上的價值遠不如書畫，我們不妨由另一個角度來體會刺繡的功夫。