Different paper-cuts: Miao paper-cuts

Miao culture also has its own paper-cut culture, but it is different from Han paper-cut. Miao paper-cutting is mainly suitable for embroidery. When Miao people do embroidery, they will first cut out certain shapes with paper-cuts.

So, how did Miao paper-cutting develop? Come and have a look with me!

Miao nationality is one of the ethnic minorities with a large population and wide geographical distribution in southwest China. They mainly live in seven provinces (cities, autonomous regions) such as Xiangxi, eastern Yunnan, southern Sichuan, southern Chongqing, southwestern Hubei and northwestern Guangxi in Guizhou and its surrounding areas, and there are more than 30,000 people in central and southern Hainan. Most Miao people live in mountainous areas with poor geographical conditions, have been in a closed environment for a long time, have slow social development, and have many unique living customs and cultural heritage. The paper-cut patterns used in embroidery by some branches of Miao nationality are similar to embroidery in art, but they are not independent exhibitions and are little known to outsiders.

Miao women have a long history of using paper-cutting in embroidery, and there is a narrative of paper-cutting in the section "Miao ancient songs crossing mountains and rivers" sung by Miao people from generation to generation in Qiandongnan. The song describes the great migration of Miao ancestors from "East" (the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River where Miao people lived in their early days) to "West" (referring to Xiangxi and Guizhou). "Aunt is called Sister-in-law, don't forget to bring a needle and thread. Sister-in-law is an aunt, don't forget to cut flowers." This great migration in Miao history is a collective transfer of nationalities. Even in such a difficult environment, women still regard sewing and flower cutting as very important things, which shows that paper-cutting and embroidery have long been twin sisters.

Embroidery is one of the main tasks of Miao women's life. They have been studying since childhood. Generally, I will draw and cut by myself. Some paintings are not good or others will ask others for help. Some people with flexible minds and good paintings cut some flowers to sell. In areas where paper-cutting is popular, paper-cutting booths can be seen in the market almost every market day. This kind of women selling paper-cut has played an important role in promoting the perfection and development of paper-cut art because they tend to be professional, good at cutting, skilled in knife work and exquisite production.

The motif and expression of Miao paper-cut patterns have distinct group, regional and fairly stable historical inheritance, which is determined by the social function and inheritance characteristics of their embroidery. Miao embroidery has never been separated from the category of tribal emblem art, and it is mainly used for dress decoration, which forms body identification symbols of members of different branches with dress styles and other decorations. The same branch is an intermarriage group, the same language, the same clothes and hairstyles are the elements to gain mutual recognition among the members of the same branch. Each branch of embroidery pattern has its own tradition, passed down from generation to generation. Its motif and forms of expression are solidified through a long historical period, especially the programs formed by forms of expression, which not only reflect the styles of various branches of the mountain, but also are a mindset. Therefore, the traditional patterns of Miao embroidery and paper-cutting engrave many features of ancient culture and primitive art, and many of their fantastic images contain mysterious thinking implications.