Papercutting is one of the most popular folk arts in China. Today, there is virtually no limit to the number of subjects that can be explored in papercuts.
In China, these elaborate and fragile paper artworks are commonly given as gifts or used as decorations. Red paper is most often used as it is traditionally considered to be an auspicious colour.
The Chinese folk art of papercutting is a demanding, but rewarding hobby, which helps to improve a person's fine motor skills and patience. The reward is a beautiful decoration that can be used for a variety of purposes.
The history of paper-cutting
Originally, designs cut out of red paper were used to decorate gates, windows and partition screens. They were also used as patterns for embroidery and for religious purposes. Women also commonly used designs made, not only of paper but of, for example, gold or silver foil, to decorate their hairdos.
The first papercuts were made around the 1st century CE. This means that the Chinese started making these decorations almost immediately after paper was invented during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE). The craft spread into western Asia in the 8th or 9th century, and then to Turkey in the 16th century.
At one point in history, the art of paper-cutting was very commonly practiced in Chinese homes. In the higher social classes, a woman's status could even be measured based on her papercutting skills.
When the techniques used in paper-cutting spread to different parts of the world, the art evolved, taking on different local colour. Thus, the Chinese style of paper-cutting is called jian zhi while other styles include the Japanese version monkiri, the papel picado of Mexico and the scherenschnitte of the German-speaking European countries.
Silhouette cutting also has its origins in this Chinese art.
The basics of papercutting
The main tools needed to make decorative paper-cut artworks are red paper and sharp scissors. Sometimes a knife is used to create the smallest details. The five basic shapes that also form the basis of the more elaborate designs are the willow leaf, crescent, water drop, sun and saw-tooth.
The easiest ones to learn are the sun and the crescent shapes. The sun, a simple circle, is cut by folding a piece of paper in half twice and drawing one arch from the middle of one side of the paper to the middle of an adjoining side.
By cutting along the line and then opening the paper, a sun is formed in the middle of the paper. Once the basic skills have been acquired, most of the simplest designs can be cut out without folding the paper.
Chinese written characters are a very common theme in papercuts. On special occasions, papercuts are used to convey well-wishes to their recipients. Red papercuts containing the Chinese character for "happiness" are commonly seen at wedding receptions.
Other popular colours for papercuts include green and light blue, although multi-coloured ones are also not uncommon.
In modern times, papercuts are still widely used to decorate doors and windows, particularly during the Chinese New Year. Paper garlands are also a common Christmas tree decoration. Small papercuts can also be used to add a personal touch to greeting cards and bookmarks.
The most intricate papercuts feature both Chinese characters and pictorial designs, with one the common designs consisting of the character for happiness surrounded by an elaborate floral pattern.
In addition, papercuts can be used to depict various scenes from everyday life, such as special family occasions. Afterward, the artwork can be framed and kept as a souvenir.
Originally published on January 5, 2007