What is the symbolic significance of Shoutao in Chinese paper-cutting art?

In Chinese paper-cutting art, the symbolic meaning of longevity peach is longevity.

In the traditional culture of China, longevity peach is regarded as a symbol of longevity, which is fully reflected in Chinese paper-cutting art. As a form of folk art in China, paper-cutting has a variety of themes, among which Shoutao has become a classic paper-cutting pattern. This paper will discuss the symbolic significance of Shoutao in Chinese paper-cutting art and the cultural connotation behind it.

Shoutao, also known as flat peach, is a delicious fruit that only immortals can enjoy in myths and legends. According to Hanwu Biography, Shoutao was a peach given to Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty by the Queen Mother of the West. Eating it can make people live forever for thousands of years. In Chinese paper-cutting art, peaches are usually cut into circles or hearts, mostly red in color, with smooth edges and full shapes, symbolizing the exuberance of life and long years.

Chinese paper-cut culture

Chinese paper-cutting is a folk art of cutting and carving patterns on paper with scissors or carving knives, which is used to decorate life or cooperate with other folk activities. In China, paper-cutting has a broad mass base and is integrated into the social life of people of all ethnic groups. It is an important part of various folk activities.

Its continuous visual image and modeling format contain rich cultural and historical information, expressing the social cognition, moral concept, practical experience, life ideal and aesthetic taste of the general public, and has multiple social values such as cognition, expressiveness, lyricism and entertainment.

Paper was invented in the Western Han Dynasty BC, before which there could be no paper-cutting art.. But at that time, people used very thin materials to make handicrafts by hollowing out and carving, but it was popular long before paper appeared, that is, patterns were cut on gold foil, leather, silk and even leaves by carving, carving, picking, carving and cutting.

The above contents refer to Baidu Encyclopedia-Paper-cutting.