What are the similarities and differences between North and South paper-cut patterns?

Paper-cutting in China can be divided into two schools: South and North. Several patterns commonly used in paper-cutting

Sawtooth pattern: a pattern arranged like a sawtooth, which has obvious directionality and sense of movement, is a difficult technique in paper-cutting. Often used to represent light, feathers, stripes.

Diamond pattern: Fold the paper in half, cut "sawtooth" along the pair of broken lines and spread it into a diamond pattern. Have a sense of stability and can concentrate on vision.

Dot pattern: this is a common symbol in paper-cutting, such as eyes, flower hearts, water droplets of spray, etc. A single dot pattern has the effect of attracting visual stay. When some old artists cut the wave points, they usually don't cut them too regularly and smoothly, so the wave points will look very thin and light.

Wave line: Wave line is lively, unique and gentle, and is often used to represent water and clouds. Wave lines can be long or short, continuous or broken, and wide or narrow, all depending on the performance object.

Moire: Commonly used for clouds, water and abstract decorative patterns. Is the most commonly used decorative pattern, with a sense of flying and movement.

Crescent pattern: It is shaped like a crescent, and this pattern is extremely plastic. Small is a point, big is a surface;

Willow grain: As the name implies, it is shaped like a willow leaf. When cutting, cut from the middle blank, requiring smooth and concise lines.

The pattern of the North and South factions represents basically the same content. Personally, I think the difference lies in its technique. Most southern schools are exquisite, beautiful, fine and delicate. Most northern schools are rough, simple and solid. I think the main reason lies in the long-term differences in geographical environment, cultural customs and aesthetic complex between the North and the South.

Although generally divided into two schools, but specific to a region, paper-cutting in the subject matter, techniques, forms and habits are also different. Being the north, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong and Hebei have their own characteristics. Schools in the south, such as Xuzhou, Yangzhou, Nantong, Nanjing, Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan and Yunnan, also have their own characteristics.