Chinese paper cutting
The traditional art of paper cutting in China may date back to the 2nd century CE, when paper was invented by Cai Lun, a court official of the Eastern Han dynasty. On May 20, 2006, paper cutting has been officially listed as one of the earliest intangible cultural heritage of China, issue by Shanxi Culture Department. It is put on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
Prior to the invention of paper, ancient Chinese used silver and gold leaf to create similar patterns of decorations. Paper cutting became popular as a way of decorating doors and windows as paper became more accessible. These elaborate cutting designs are created with scissors or artwork knives and can include a variety of shapes, such as symbols and animals. As paper became more affordable in Eastern Han dynasty, paper-cutting became one of the most important types of Chinese folk art. Later, this art form spread to other parts of the world, with different regions adopting their own cultural styles.
Since the cut-outs are often used to decorate doors and windows, most paper cuts are called "hua", which means "flower". "Flower" refers to the meaning of pattern instead of the botanic beauty. For different use of decorations, they are sometimes referred as different "hua". The paper cuts that used to decorate the window, it is called "window flowers" or "window paper-cuts". For those used as stencils for embroidery called "hat flower", "pillow flower", "shoe flower". Usually, the artworks are made of red paper, as red is associated with festivities and luck in Chinese culture, but other colours are also used. Normally cut-paper artwork is used on festivals such as Chinese New Year, weddings and childbirth, as cut-paper artwork is considered to symbolize luck and happiness.
Origin
Chinese paper-cutting originated from the practice of worship of both ancestors and gods, a traditional part of Chinese culture dating back roughly two millennia. According to archaeological records, paper-cutting originates from the 6th century, although some believe that its history could be traced back as far as the Warring States period, long before paper was invented. At that time, people used other thin materials, like leaves, silver foil, silk and even leather, to carve negative-space patterns. The technique for cutting and carving were developed before the invention of paper. Currently, the earliest pattern of paper cuts was found in 1959 from a gravesite in Xinjiang region, dating back to the year AD 386 - 581. Later when paper was invented by Cai Lun in the year AD 105, people realized that this material was easy to cut, store and discard, so paper became the major material for this type of artwork.Tang dynasty
During the Tang dynasty, paper cutting developed rapidly and became popular in China, which typically combined paper cutting with painting to illustrate spiritual ideas. Paper-cutting as an artform matured during the Tang dynasty, where it became considered not only a type of handicraft, but also a type of artwork, as ideas and concepts were expressed through the pattern cut into the paper.Song dynasty
During the Song dynasty, Chinese papercutting developed into a more advanced technique, with trained artisans creating more complex artworks. The technique was used to decorate ceramics and make shadow puppets. By carving patterns onto oily cardboard and scraping patterns onto the fabric, blue-printed fabric came about.Ming and Qing dynasties
In the Ming and Qing dynasty, paper-cutting reached a developmental peak and became a more popular Chinese art. Folk paper-cutting spread to a wider range of people and expressed an abundance of artistic expression. It developed a variety of uses, including lantern and fan ornaments, needlework patterns, and window flowers. Paper-cutting was used to decorate doors, windows, and walls, to show happiness and celebrate festivals. The imperial family also utilized papercutting, with the Forbidden City decorated with papercuts during the emperor's wedding ceremony. Its continual appeal reflects the Chinese people's creativity, with designs expressing cultural ideas and values.This artistry witnessed its most prosperous period in Ming and Qing dynasties. For over a thousand years, people created cut-paper artworks as a leisure activity, creating different types of paper-cutting and passing this traditional craft onto their children, resulting in the art form becoming more popular. Paper-cutting is still practiced as an art form in modern-day China as a result.
As a material, paper mildews and rots easily. In the southeast of China, where it typically rains in May and June, this causes paper to mildew and rot especially quickly; as a result, people in the southeast typically did not engage in paper-cutting art, making it hard to find cut-paper artworks from previous centuries. In contrast, the weather in the northwest of China is usually dry, making it possible to find cut-paper art made in the Northern dynasties in Turpan, Sinkiang province.
Style Classification
Paper-cutting is one of the oldest and the most popular folk arts in China. It can be geographically divided into three main schools.South School (南方剪纸 nán fāng jiǎn zhǐ)
The south school, represented by works from Foshan in Guangdong Province and Fujian Province, features rigorous, decorative and elegant designs. It is varied in its theme choice, among which the gift flowers of Putian are the most special and famous pattern of South School.Zhangpu paper-cutting originated in Fujian Province, China, and is famous for its fine craftsmanship and vivid composition. It combines cutting, engraving, pasting, painting and other techniques, and the works are rich in layers and strong visual impact. Common subjects include auspicious motifs, folklore and natural scenes, often in bright colors and dynamic shapes.
Jiangzhe School (江浙剪纸 jiāng zhè jiǎn zhǐ)
The Jiangzhe School is originated from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in Eastern China. Representative works are from Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province and Yueqing in Zhejiang Province. features ingenious and beautiful designs, exquisite carving and interesting shapes. It is the most famous internationally. It usually depicts nature theme of flowers, birds, fish and fruits.North School (北方剪纸 běi fāng jiǎn zhǐ)
The northern style, mainly from Yuxian and Fengning in Hebei Province, and best represented by works from northern Shaanxi, features exaggerated shapes, vigorousness, vivid depictions and diverse patterns. The style tend to have a relatively simple and symmetrical design, focusing on abstract shapes, animals and patterns.Yuxian paper-cutting, produced in Hebei province, China, is famous for its color printing techniques and bold and unrestrained style. Artists first cut out complex patterns, and then hand color layer by layer, so that the color of the picture is bright and strong contrast. Most of the subjects are opera figures, folk stories and festival scenes, showing a strong northern folk culture.
Minority School
Miao paper-cutting originated in the southeast of Guizhou Province and is a common base in Miao traditional embroidery. The Miao are one of the 55 officially recognized ethnic minority groups in China. It is not used to decorate Windows, but to aid in embroidery, so that the pattern is more accurate and neat. The contents of the paper cuts are mostly from oral legends, such as figures, animals and flowers, but also some exaggerated or mythical images. Paper-cutting artists usually create based on stories, and the patterns pay attention to hierarchy and layout, which is an expression of Miao culture and memory.Characteristics
Chinese paper cutting is an art form from the Chinese cultural legacy that displays a wide range of designs, from simple basic designs consisting of a single image to symmetrical, which are created by folding the paper into proportionate portions before cutting, so that when unfolded, it forms a symmetrical design, and are usually folded into an even number, such as twice or four times. Typically, the designs are freeform and depict scenes from there daily life.Red paper is the most prevalent because it is connected with happiness and good fortune in Chinese culture, but it is not limited to any color. Two main styles of paper cutting are single-color and multi-color. Paper cutting is consistently evolving and has developed beyond China, with artists developing new techniques and materials to keep this art form alive.
Uses and Functions
Decorative use
Chinese papercutting is mostly used for decoration nowadays. Many Chinese people decorate their windows with paper cuttings to express enthusiasm for the new season or new year. Paper cuttings are also used in homes to decorate walls, doors, lamps, and lanterns and are often presented as gifts. Furthermore, paper cuttings pasted near entrances symbolize good luck. This traditional habit festively decorates houses and special occasions. Today, paper cuttings are chiefly decorative. They liven up walls, windows, doors, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes and are also used on presents or are given as gifts themselves. Paper cut-outs pasted on or near entrances are supposed to bring good luck. Paper cuttings used to be used as patterns, especially for embroidery and lacquer work. Cut-paper artworks are used by young people as a decoration for their kits and books.Paper-cutting was and is mostly used as a decoration, or an aesthetic way to express people's hopes, gratitude and other emotions. The vivid designs depicting on paper-cuttings have different meanings. Some express wishes for a harvest or a wealthy life, shown through the imagery of a golden harvest, thriving domestic animals and plants, as well as good fortunes, a carp jumping over a dragon gate, polecats, lions, qilins, jade rabbits, pomegranates and peonies. Other designs feature legendary figures, or scenes from traditional myths or stories, such as designs of the Yellow Emperor, the meeting of Cowherd and Weaver Girl, and the 24 stories of filial piety. Designs may also show people's gratitude towards life, such as paper-cuttings of a doll with two twisted hairs on each side of the head, or fish swimming through lotus plants.