Chinese Paper Cuts
Chinese Paper Cuts also called Scissor-cuts, it is a kind of folk artwork with rich local flavor popularizing in numerous people. Chinese Paper cuts was come out during the period of Nanbeichao Dynasty.
Colorful paper cut by scissors is often used as decoration and forms various artistic styles because of different purposes, such as for window decoration, basket decoration, present decoration and designs. Among them paper-cut for window decoration is the most popular. So paper-cut is also called Window Grille. Basket decoration is hanging decoration for festivals. Present decoration is to add color for the present and exaggerate living atmosphere and encourage the people's emotions.
Paper-cut designs are to design the models for folk needlework. Most of them are red and some are colorful. Folk scissor-cut is gentle, lovely and vivid with bright color. Cut skills are powerful and smooth. The line is easy. Its subject often comes from the folk and is good decoration.
Paper cutting can be seen in many parts of China during the Spring Festival. People paste patterns on the window, door lintel or desks for the festival atmosphere。
It's difficult to tell when it originated. One saying is that it originated from the religious ceremony or offering sacrifices. The ancient people cut papers into animals or people. They either buried them with the dead or burned them on the funerals, wishing that things that paper stand for could be with the dead. A thousand years ago, paper cut was used for decoration. According to historic books, women in the Tang Dynasty used paper cut as headdress. In the Song Dynasty, it was the decoration of the gifts. People pasted on windows or doors or used it as decorations on walls, mirrors or lanterns. Some people made a living by it.
