The creation of Hunan embroidery is inseparable from the selection of subject matter. In order to provide more choices and references for Hunan embroidery creators, it is necessary to explore the function formation of the theme, classify and analyze the cultural connotations of many existing Hunan embroidery subjects. Theoretically, the choice of Hunan embroidery subject matter is quite extensive. In the actual creation of Hunan embroidery, the choice of subject matter is influenced by many factors, among which culture is the recessive factor determining the subject matter of Hunan embroidery, and the use is the dominant reason affecting the selection of the subject matter of Hunan embroidery. From the perspective of its use, Hunan embroidery can be divided into four categories: praying for evil, pleasing to the eye, delighting and self-cultivating and each type has its unique cultural connotations and representative works.