The diagrams illustrate the stages in the life of a silkworm and the process of producing silk cloth.
There are four main stages in the life cycle of the silkworm, from eggs to adult moth. The process of silk cloth production involves six steps, from silkworm cocoon to silk material.
At the first stage in the life cycle of a silkworm, the moth lays its eggs. Around ten days later, silkworm larvae hatch from the eggs; these larvae feed on mulberry leaves. Then, after four to six weeks, the larvae become covered in silk thread, and it takes between three and eight days for a full cocoon to be produced.
For silk cloth production, a cocoon is first selected and then boiled in water. After boiling, the silk thread that makes up the cocoon is unwound, and then several strands of thread are twisted together. At the fifth and sixth stages in the process, the thread can either be dyed and then woven into silk fabric, or it can be woven first and then dyed subsequently.