Zhang Hang collects images of Wamao with his camera at Haiyan Village in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 12, 2025. Zhang Hang, 32, is an inheritor of the Kunming Wamao-making technique and the founder of the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum.

Wamao, a cat-shaped pottery artifact originating in Yunnan, combines practical design with folk beliefs. Traditionally mounted on eaves or lintels, it was believed to drive away evil spirits and bring peace to the household. In 2023, Wamao was listed as one of Yunnan's provincial intangible cultural heritage items.

Zhang first encountered Wamao in 2012, when he was studying folk art design at Yunnan Arts University. "I was drawn to its expressive artistic form," Zhang said. "I wanted to integrate its unconstrained style into modern design."

Since then, searching for old Wamao has become part of his daily life. He has wandered through old city markets and construction sites, from cities of Dali and Lijiang to the outskirts of Kunming, chasing traces of the clay guardians.

In 2019, Zhang founded the Wamao museum to promote the craft through exhibitions, hands-on classes, and cultural tours. Visitors can take part in Wamao-making workshops, Wamao placement ceremonies, and field trips to traditional villages.

In his studio, Zhang mixes clay, shapes the cat's head and body, and then fires it in a kiln after drying. The belly of the cat is left hollow, with its mouth and tail connected, symbolizing the idea of "swallowing evil and releasing blessings."

Skilled artisans can complete a Wamao in a week, but Zhang said the true challenge lies in merging tradition with innovation.

"It sometimes takes a month to create one that feels right," he said. "The goal is to help this ancient craft find new meaning in modern society."

As urbanization changes the landscape of Kunming, many old houses have disappeared. Zhang hopes his work will help preserve the memory of the Wamao and its cultural spirit.

"As old houses crumble, I hope the chamber of my heart will serve as a new home for Wamao," he said. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Zhang Hang makes Wamao at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

Zhang Hang makes Wamao at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

Zhang Hang works at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Zhang Hang makes Wamao at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

Zhang Hang collects images of Wamao with his camera at Haiyan Village in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Zhang Hang collects images of Wamao with his camera at Haiyan Village in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Zhang Hang (R) talks with villagers at Haiyan Village in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2025 shows Wamao displayed at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Zhang Hang makes Wamao at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2025 shows Wamao displayed at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Zhang Hang collects images of Wamao with his camera at Haiyan Village in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Zhang Hang makes Wamao at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Zhang Hang makes Wamao at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

Zhang Hang works at the Heart Chamber Wamao Museum in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)