Miao and Bouyei minority girls in China are highly skilled at wax printing. The realistic designs are usually plain, simple or rough in style. The shapes, not confined to the exact detail of nature, are boldly diverse and often exaggerated. This diversity and exaggeration come purely from the imagination, and are breathtakingly charming. The varied designs presented in either geometric shapes or as natural images, which generally stem from human life or legend, and are characterized with a rich folk hue.

The patterns of most wax printings are rooted in social history, totem worship, mythical legends or religious ethnic cultures. For example, Miao wax printings convey the independent idea for beauty and the way of thinking of Miao women, expressing their yearning for happiness, respect and admiration for life, a d worship of ancestors. Such patterns can feature geometric images, animals or plants.