Why did paper-cutting become the representative of China folk art?

In the past year or two, paper-cutting has appeared in Chinese art festivals held in various countries, and even appeared on China Zodiac stamps issued by the United States. During the Spring Festival this year, paper-cutting frequently appeared in various festive occasions. In a sense, paper-cutting has become a symbol of China culture. This makes it necessary for us to have a new understanding of the cultural significance of paper-cutting.

Paper-cutting shows the simple and meaningful feelings and customs of the Chinese nation.

Paper-cutting is the most popular folk art form in China, because the tools and materials it uses are extremely simple and easy to obtain.

China's paper-cut art has a long history, but because it is extremely difficult to preserve paper objects, there are not many paper-cut objects handed down. The earliest existing ancient paper-cut objects were excavated in the ancient tomb site of Turpan in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Most of these paper-cuts are cut by folding and shearing, which is very mature in art. It is difficult to reach such a level without considerable experience accumulation.

There are mainly two kinds of paper-cutting techniques, one is to cut with scissors, and the other is to carve with a carving knife, which are collectively called "paper-cutting". Paper-cutting is very decorative. Because it is carved on the plane with scissors (or carving knives), the flowers, insects, fish, birds and figures cut out have a simple and exaggerated aesthetic feeling. Its unique "scissors flavor" is the main feature of the art of paper-cutting. Through the creation of countless workers and artists, paper-cutting has formed various expression techniques such as monochrome paper-cutting, folding paper-cutting, color-matching paper-cutting, stippling paper-cutting, sketch paper-cutting and woodcut paper-cutting in the long-term circulation process. The theme of folk paper-cutting is very rich, which not only shows what the masses are familiar with, but also reflects the rich artistic imagination of the masses. From these beautiful paper-cuts, people can see traditional auspicious patterns, interesting animals and plants, heroes in historical legends, operas and fairy tales, people's praise for life, and laborers' love for life and labor.

Paper-cutting is integrated into China people's thoughts, feelings and judgments of good and evil.

China folk auspicious paper-cut has profound cultural connotation. From "window grilles" pasted on the window lattice and "door signs" pasted on the lintel to "flowers for offering sacrifices to gods and ancestors", "flowers for celebrating marriage" and "fireworks"; From "flowers beside the kang" and "flowers on the ceiling" to "shoes" and "purse flowers" as embroidery patterns, paper-cutting symbolizing auspiciousness is deeply integrated into people's thoughts and emotions in daily life. Common auspicious themes in paper-cutting are: Fu, Lu, Shou, Ruyi, Pan Chang, Sanduo, He Shou Shuang Quan, Peng Shou, Yu, Long Life, All the Best, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday. With the development of the times, when people continue to apply these auspicious patterns of paper-cutting, the meaning contained in them has also been sublimated.

Dramatic stories and characters are common themes in Chinese paper-cutting. Paper-cutting and watching plays are things that rural women like. Their special feelings and understanding of opera enable them to create different styles of paper-cut works through ingenious artistic treatment of characters and scenes in opera, which will enter thousands of households with people's daily life, thus enabling opera to spread in a larger space. Traditional opera paper-cutting is like a frozen drama, which continues to be staged in farmers' cottages, kangs and windows, expressing people's admiration for heroes and their judgments on good, evil, beauty and ugliness.