The making of painted clay figurines is a type of folk handicraft in Fengxiang County of Shaanxi Province. The clay figurines are called "clay goods" by local people. According to legend, six barracks of troops were stationed in Fengxiang area in the Ming Dynasty. After their demobilization, the soldiers settled down in the area. Some of them took up their trade of making clay figurines as they did before joining the army. They made painted clay figurines with the highly-sticky mud in the area using moulds and then sold the figures at major temple fairs. Local villagers bought the clay figurines and put them in their homes for protection, warding off evil, bringing peace to the house, praying for children and seeking blessings. From then on, the making of the painted clay figurines has been handed down from one generation to another in Liuying Village and thus put the village on the map.

There are three types of Fengxiang painted clay figurines: 1) clay toys; the majority of toys are in the shapes of animals, especially the twelve animals symbolizing Chinese zodiac signs; 2) hanging ornaments, including types of facial makeup in operas, tiger heads, ox heads, lion heads, the child-bringing unicorn and the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea etc; 3) standing figurines, most of which are characters in folk legends or historical stories. The mould-shaped figurines are made of black clay, lime powder, hide glue and other materials. The multicolored artworks are in terse and exaggerated forms with elaborate adornment. They are incredibly cute and adorable, with unique styles.