Papercut is an art form originating in China. Around the first century, the Chinese invented paper, the most flexible, versatile and adaptable material. The first papercut dates back to the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-581). As a handicraft generally made by women, nearly every native girl, in the past, mastered the craftsmanship, which was even used for selection of brides-to-be.
The handicraft is rich in content. The themes usually include everything in people's daily life from dumb things to the surroundings, such as pomegranates, lotuses, peach blossoms, mice, fish, worms, fighting roosters and rabbits eating carrots, familiar objects depicted.
Papercuts are very popular in the countryside, as its initiation and spread had a close relationship with Chinese rural ceremonies or festivals – Chinese New Year celebrations, weddings, ancestor worship and other religious celebrations. People pasted papercuts on walls, windows and doors at wedding ceremonies or festivals to enhance the festive atmosphere. Papercuts can also be used as ornaments on gates, windows, walls, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns as well as gifts. Certain designs and colors were created to bring good fortune and wealth into the homes of those who displayed them. For example, the child, lotus and bottle gourd designs suggest a family with a large number of children and grandchildren. To get rid of the old and make way for the new, every household puts up papercuts on the newly plastered window paper on the eve of Chinese New Year. The designs of the twelve animals are indispensable.
The handicraft is rich in content. The themes usually include everything in people's daily life from dumb things to the surroundings, such as pomegranates, lotuses, peach blossoms, mice, fish, worms, fighting roosters and rabbits eating carrots, familiar objects depicted.
Papercuts are very popular in the countryside, as its initiation and spread had a close relationship with Chinese rural ceremonies or festivals – Chinese New Year celebrations, weddings, ancestor worship and other religious celebrations. People pasted papercuts on walls, windows and doors at wedding ceremonies or festivals to enhance the festive atmosphere. Papercuts can also be used as ornaments on gates, windows, walls, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns as well as gifts. Certain designs and colors were created to bring good fortune and wealth into the homes of those who displayed them. For example, the child, lotus and bottle gourd designs suggest a family with a large number of children and grandchildren. To get rid of the old and make way for the new, every household puts up papercuts on the newly plastered window paper on the eve of Chinese New Year. The designs of the twelve animals are indispensable.
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