Hooks can be found in ancient weapons as well as in bronze wares functioning as the buckle to connect a silk belt or a jade belt on the waist. According to the records, as an article of everyday use, bed-curtain hooks were created in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100-771BC) and prevailed in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Various in shape and style, most bed-curtain hooks are made from cooper with the skills of hollow cutting, carving and inlay. Bamboo, bone, gold and silver are also among the materials of bed-curtain hooks, but since they are precious, only rich and influential families can afford them.

The bed-curtain hook has two parts; the upper part is carved with auspicious patterns such as kylin, crane and deer as well as Chinese characters like 福(literally means Happiness) , 寿(literally means Longevity) and 囍(literally means Double Happiness), which are regarded as lucky symbols by ancient Chinese people. The lower part is hooked designed for holding the hanging bed curtain.

This pair of bed-curtain hook is hollow carved with the figures of the celestial beings of harmony, symbolizing happiness and reunion in ancient Chinese folk myth, which is usually used in wedding ceremonies.

The upper part of this pair of hooks is a rectangular figure, delicately carved with blooming flowers bearing many fruits, which represent the auspicious meaning of having more children and gaining more happiness. This kind of hook, also, is usually used in wedding ceremonies.

Engraved with Chinese characters 延年益寿 (literally means prolonging one’s life) on the upper part, this kind of hook is used in birthday celebrations.

Bed-curtain hooks were initially an article for daily use; with generations of development, they have been turned into an artwork being endowed with cultural meaning and people’s good wishes.