What does the crane symbolize in paper-cutting?

The crane in paper-cut symbolizes "longevity".

Crane is a kind of immortal bird with long life. It is said that crane has infinite life and is regarded as the king of longevity like tortoise. Later generations often use "He Shou", "He Ling" and "He Shu" as birth words.

Cranes are often ridden by immortals, and longevity stars often appear in the image of driving cranes and clouds. In Taoism, the crane is a symbol of longevity, so there is a saying that the ancestors of Taoism mostly used cranes or deer as horses. In China, there is a traditional saying that when an old man dies, he will drive a crane to the west.

The main reason why folk paper-cutting can be widely spread for a long time is the performance function of accepting blessings and welcoming auspicious events. 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.