Intricate figurines made out of wheat flour dough used for honoring ancestors during festivals are common here in the Yellow River basin. The figurine is first molded into shape by kneading, and then it is steamed until it is cooked, before colors are applied to the surface.

Pictures below show the labor intensive work of making dough figurines on the days and nights before the festival, which is held to pay respect to the deceased ancestors. The dough figurines are used as offerings to the spirits of the deceased. Common festivals are those at the lunar new year or Spring Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival in May, and the Autumn Moon Festival in August (in lunar calendar, or September in solar calendar, called Harvest Moon).

An elaborate display of dough figurines is shown on the right.