The Content Significance of Chinese Paper-cutting

Folk paper-cutting is good at combining all kinds of objects and images to produce ideal and beautiful effects. No matter whether one or more image combinations are used, they are modeled by "image implication" and "meaning conformation", rather than by objective natural forms. At the same time, they are also good at using metaphor and combining conventional images to create various mascots to express their psychology. Pursuing auspicious metaphor has become one of the ultimate goals of image combination. The geographical closure and cultural limitations, as well as the intrusion of adversity such as natural disasters, aroused people's desire for a happy life. People pray for ample food and clothing, prosperity, health and longevity, and all the best. This simple wish is conveyed through paper-cutting.

Folk paper-cut "deer and crane in the same spring" is a traditional folk theme pattern. According to records, cranes are "blackbirds", and blackbirds are the general term for "migratory birds". In folk culture, deer is called "waiting for animals" and cranes are called "migratory birds". Deer and cranes are symbols of spring and life. Folk deer and Lu are homophonic, and cranes are regarded as longevity birds, so the combination of deer and cranes means longevity. In the case of relatively low productivity of civil society, human labor has become the guarantee of survival, and it is an eternal ideal for people to get rid of the pain of birth, illness and death. Folk paper-cutting expresses the desire for life in various forms, protects life, praises life, shows the joy of life, and the worship of life becomes people's sincere belief. "Eagle stepping on a rabbit" is one of the favorite flowers in the folk bridal chamber, and it is also a traditional pattern, which is widely circulated among the people. Eagle means "Yang", just like chickens, birds and crows. In folk deification, the sun is called a "three-legged bird" and people call it a "crow". Rabbit means "Yin". People call the moon a rabbit. The eagle stepping on the rabbit is a metaphor for the love between men and women, which embodies the theme of reproductive worship. Sitting and enjoying flowers, which are common in folk paper-cutting, express the worship and pursuit of life in a metaphorical way. Paper-cut works with the theme of "buckle bowl", "catch bun doll" and "fish lotus" abound.

There are many pictures reflecting production and life in folk paper-cutting. One of the biggest similarities between these works is that they exaggerate the main body, such as big fish, big peppers, big silkworms and big grains. Through paper-cutting, people invented a beautiful image; Comfort one's soul, publicize one's great creativity in conquering nature, establish one's ideal world, affirm one's strength, and inspire people's courage to continue their struggle.