Introducion

One of China's most popular folk arts is papercutting. Archaeological finds trace the tradition back to the 6th century; It is supposed that the beginnings of Chinese papercutting were even a few centuries earlier. Paper cuttings are used for religious purposes , for decoration and patterns as well.

Papercuttings, which were usually of symbolic character, were part of some ritual. They also often served as decorations for sacrificial offerings to the ancestors and gods.

Today, papercuttings 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 papercuttings which are supposed to bring good luck.

Some papercuttings contain either some symbol of good fortune or a Chinese character imbued with especially auspicious meaning. Usually, there is a tale to be told by each picture or character.

    Papercuttings used to be used as patterns also, especially for embroidery and lacquer work.

    Papercuttings are not produced by machine, but by hand. There are two methods of manufacture: scissors cuttings and knife cuttings.

    As the name indicates, scissors 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 that he usually holds vertically. The advantage of knife cuttings is that considerably more papercuttings can be made in one operation than with scissors cuttings.

     Today, more and more people collect papercuts as their hobbies. They appreciate this kind of handicraft not only as traditional decoration, but also as imaginative artworks.Some larger papercuts are ready for framing.

    There are so many Chinese papercuttings to show in our web site that we just select a few wonderful ones, and classify them according to the different themes.

    Homepage: This web site was set up for papercutting's fans.

   Introduction: You will learn the brief history, use of papercuts, and the method of how to make them.

   Special themes will show you many papercuts with different styles. We hope you will enjoy the beauty and fancy of this folk-art.

  Cutting gallery . For more images of papercuts, please visit our gallery.

    Enjoy your visiting!
   Let us share what you feel.