Peony design has been used in Chinese people's daily lives, thanks to its symbolism of riches and honor. Luoyang, the home of peonies, has begun developing a peony cultural industry.

The founder of Peony Porcelain Company Li Xuewu is a successful businessman who runs a cultural business that combines traditional porcelain crafts and peony designs.

Peony porcelain has an exotic appeal with intricately detailed designs. And after three years of studying and research, Li Xuewu created this new style of artwork, and started a peony porcelain business in 2010.

Li Xuewu, founder of Luoyang Peony Porcelain Co.,Ltd., said, "One of my friends came to the peony festival at the end of April in 2007, but the peonies had withered away. At that time, I began thinking how could I bring back the beauty of peonies."

The exquisite and innovative design makes peony porcelain production more complicated. Each step of the process like forming, decorating, glazing and firing ceramic wares requires strict standards as well as creativity. Li Xuewu now has established 15 series of artworks, including more than 1,000 different types.

Cai Yunzhang, professor of Luoyang Cultural Industry Research Inst., said, "The Chinese cultural industry is rooted in traditional Chinese culture. We should use cultural resources to develop cultural products, and therefore to highlight the uniqueness of the Chinese cultural industry."

The business had achieved great success by 2011. And now, Li Xuewu has 8 chain stores across China, and will launch into overseas market in 2012. However, Li Xuewu says Luoyang peony porcelain is still in the beginning stage. There is a long way to go for the industry.

Luoyang's peony-related products market is booming, featuring an array of commemorative stamps, paintings, food, tea, and so on. The peony is a symbol of the city, one that is flowering into cultural business opportunities.