Flowers On Paper And Scissors

Last post about Chinese Spring Festival is more based on my personal emotion and experience, which I reconsidered that it might be difficult to resonate with you from disparate cultural background. Therefore, in this post, I would like to work hard on a more documentary or introductory context about Chinese paper-cutting art, emphasizing on its history and other related interesting facts.

The paper-cutting is a traditional art in China, which has been making its way along the route of the long history of paper. The kind of art went after the invention of paper in Song Dynasty, once became one of the main form of arts, and was popular to the people of the time; even in royal families ladies were also judged by the ability on paper-cutting.

Paper-cutting prevails in countryside, and the majority of paper-cutting artists are women. Ordinarily, on Chinese New Year's Eve, people decorate the doors and windows (usually windows) with paper-cutting crafts. The bright color of red paper cuts provides a strong foil to set off a festival atmosphere, symbolizing auspicious wishes to the new year. In Chinese, paper-cutting is called "chuang hua", which is translated as "flowers in the window", and that is the reason why Chinese conventionally stick paper cuts on the window, representing family harmony. People like to decorate their windows using colorful paper cuts of various shapes and sizes whether they can be animals or flowers. In ancient time, if you discovered a house without red paper cuts, it might stand for a dismal condition of that family.

The main tool for paper-cutting is the scissor. Once a pair of scissors is owned by a master of paper-cutting, it will do so well that it becomes supernatural and the works are beyond imagination flowing out of his/her hands in the chattering of a common pair of scissors. Another tool for paper-cutting is engraving knives which are necessary to enhance a sharpened effect or to establish a refined job.

The themes of paper cuts vary from meaningless patterns to historical characters. For instance, for a wedding ceremony, red paper cuts are a required decoration on the tea set, the dressing table glass, and on other furniture. A big red paper character "Xi" (happiness) is customary on the newlywed's door. Upon the birthday party of a senior, the character "Shou" represents longevity and delight to the whole celebration. Moreover, a pattern of a plump child cuddling fish means that every year you will get more than you wish for. In different parts of China, people express hope and blessing with paper-cutting.

"Shou" (Longevity)

"Xi" (Blessing for newlywed)

"Niannianyouyu"(A plum child cuddling fish)

Nowadays, fewer and fewer families living in metropolis use paper-cutting as decorations. This art work can sometimes be found in countryside. However, my family still keeps the tradition to decorate our house with red paper-cutting during festivals because my grandparents believe that red paper-cutting on the door can bring good luck and happiness to the whole family. I hope more and more young generations can learn how to make paper cuts because this art reflects many aspects of Chinese culture such as prosperity, health, and harvest.