Art of Paper-cutting

Introduction:

The art of paper-cutting (jiǎnzhǐ 剪纸) in China may date back to the
second century C.E., since paper was invented by a person named Cai Lun in
the Eastern Han Dynasty in China.

As paper became more affordable, paper-cutting became one of the most

important types of Chinese folk art. Later, this art form spread to other parts of
the world, with different regions adopting their own cultural styles. Because the
cut-outs are often used to decorate doors and windows, they are sometimes
referred to as chuāng huā (窗花), window flowers or window paper-cuts. People
glued the papercuts to the exterior of windows, so the light from the inside
would shine through the negative space of the cutout.

Usually, the artworks are made of red paper, as red is associated with
festivities and happiness in Chinese culture, but other colours were also used.
Normally paper-cutting artwork is used on festivals like Spring Festival,
weddings and childbirth. Papercuts always symbolizes luck and happiness.