Dyeing is an imprecise science. Mr. Shen Shou describes in the Book on the Art of Embroidery in the Qing Dynasty that “color changes with people, the dryness or wetness of weather, as well as one’s embroidery skills. 

Commonly, the color obtained yesterday changes today, and today’s color changes tomorrow. The colors are of various types, and are simply gorgeous”. Dyed colors can be affected by the environment and the change in people’s state. As a man making tea, the tea’s taste will vary as his emotional state varies. Only a pure mind can perceive this subtle change, just as clear water contains the answer.

The amount of yarn that can be dyed each time is limited through the manual operation of natural dyeing. Usually, the yarn required for the main colors on a carpet should be dyed in several batches; thus, the wool dyed in different batches often has a slight color difference. In addition, there are concentration and temperature differences in different areas within the dyeing solution, and the thickness and tightness of different parts of the yarn are also create different effects. Therefore, even for yarn dyed in the same batch there can be observed subtle and rich changes in color.

Thus, the carpet woven with naturally dyed wool will present a natural “abrash” to form a wide variety of color hues. One can see the effects of abrash on a larger scale in the earth’s strata, the desert, the sea, a tree’s leaves in autumn, and the wood grain of old furniture. Looking at a naturally dyed carpet reflects this “return to nature” with its richly hued colors formed by the wool’s knots, line by line.

Before 1856, natural dyes were used worldwide, which is also one of the main reasons that the old carpets became so collectible. However, it takes a long time to recover the natural dyeing processes. Traditional historical techniques may take decades or even centuries of practice and refinement before becoming mature.

The Chinese character "染" (dye) is composed of "water", "wood", and the number "nine". Nine is the largest of the numbers, indicating complexity. Dyeing needs to be repeated many times to achieve the ideal tone and fastness of color.

The dyeing process requires dyers to be patient and carefully observe the changes of color. Beautiful colors are produced by the combination of concentration and technique.