Paper-cuttings are one of China's most popular forms of visual art. Paper and scissors are the usual materials utilized, but sometimes an engraving knife is used. Paper cuttings have been a traditional art form that can be traced back to the 6th century; it only became apparent a few centuries after.
This art form has a long history. Its uses influenced decorative patterns, leather silhouettes, printed cloths, embroideries and paintings. Folk paper-cuttings as an art, imitates nature's forms by way of making characters, symbols, and other ways to entail nature out of the beautiful paper-cutting patterns.
Paper-cuttings are all hand-made. There are two common practices in making paper-cuttings: the scissor cutting and knife cutting techniques. A pair of scissors is used in the scissor cutting technique. The artist cuts the motif with sharp, pointed scissors to shape the desired pattern. Knife cuttings, on the other hand is a method where the artist puts several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow and ashes. After which, the artist holds a sharp knife vertically cutting the motif into the paper by following a pattern. For large size modern style paper-cuttings, which are usually more complicated than traditional style, the knife cutting technique is the main stream.
In Chinese folk culture, the art of paper-cuttings occupies a significant amount of time allotment in various folk activities. As early as the Southern Song dynasty, professional paper-cutting craftsmen have emerged. It was once a handicraft that every native girl masters. Paper-cut craftsmanship was often used to judge good brides-to-be. Now, we have contemporary artists and artisans to show you the wonder of the paper-cut through their artworks in traditional and modern style.