Paper Cutting
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Posted by Fotopoulou Sophia in Arts section |
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Paper cutting is a traditional art in China. It has been making its way along the route of the long history of paper. This kind of art went after the invention of paper in Han Dynasty, and became one of the main form of arts. Paper cutting was most popular to the people of the time. Even in royal families ladies were also judged by the ability at the art of paper cutting.
Paper Cutting
Paper cutting is one of China’s most popular folk arts. This tradition is traced back to the 6th century; it is supposed that the beginnings of paper cutting were even a few centuries earlier. Paper cuttings are used for religious purposes, for decoration and as patterns.
As is still partly the case outside of China, a variety of paper objects and figures used to be buried with the dead or were burned at the funeral ceremony. Paper cuttings, which were usually of symbolic character, were part of this ritual. They also often served as decorations for sacrificial offerings to the ancestors and gods.
Today, paper cuttings are chiefly used as decoration. They ornament walls, windows, doors, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes and are also used for decoration on presents or are given as presents themselves.
They have special significance at festivals and on holidays. At the New Year’s Festival for example, entrances are decorated with paper cuttings, which are supposed to bring good luck.
Paper cuttings are not produced by hand. Two methods are used: scissor cuttings and knife cuttings. As the name indicates, scissor cuttings are fashioned with scissors. Several pieces of paper--up to eight pieces--are fastened together. The motif is then cut with sharp, pointed scissors.
Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife, which he usually holds vertically. The advantage of knife cuttings is that considerably more paper cuttings can be made in one operation than with scissor cuttings.
In the countryside, paper cuttings are usually made only by women and girls. This used to be one of the crafts that every girl was to master and that were often used to judge brides. Professional paper cutting artists are, on the other hand, almost always men who have guaranteed incomes and work together in workshops.
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