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The Artistic Challenge of Chinese Paper Cuttingby Mariette PanOriginating in northern China, paper cutting has been a popular art form among Chinese women for many centuries. In ancient times, a Chinese woman's talents were devoted to cooking, sewing, and folk arts. These were designed to improve the quality of life and the attractiveness of the home. Paper cutting was a fundamental part of every girl's childhood. |
| The origins of the art of paper cutting are not clear but are related to the invention of paper which has been traced back to as far as 5 A.D. Paper cuttings, usually of symbolic character, were originally buried with the dead or burned at funeral ceremonies. They also often served as decorations for sacrificial offerings to ancestors and gods. Later their popularity grew in the Tang dynasty (618 - 906 A.D.) when the Chinese began to post "spring scrolls" on their doors for the Chinese New Year. ("Spring scrolls" consist of strips of red paper bearing verses of good omen.) With the passing of time, many various uses for paper cuttings were later discovered. Subject Matter: Past and Present The most popular use of paper cuttings were as "window flowers", as they are now called in Chinese. Long ago houses in northern China were constructed with windows of thin, semi-transparent paper. Red paper cutouts were pasted on the windows, as well as walls and ceilings to give a look of color and lightness . These cutouts were later used to decorate gifts, candy containers, table services and tea sets. In one of their most important uses, paper cuts served as patterns for embroidery. In those days these cutouts came in a wide variety of subject matter such as flowers, dragons, gods and fierce animals. All were symbolic of good fortune and were therefore usually on red paper. The subject matter also depended greatly upon the occasion: the shapes of gods for New Year's, pine trees and cranes for birthdays (symbols of long life), and folklore of the moon for harvest festivals. For ordinary days, anything was acceptable. In the past women favored flowers, birds, pets and farm animals. More talented women created scenes from legends and operas. As time progressed, paper cutting moved southward where the picturesque countryside added many new themes. Modern influences entered from Fukien and Kwangtung, sometimes with a hint of Western art and its generous use of color. Today, as in the ancient times, paper cutting is a highly technical art form requiring creativity, skill and experience. No matter how simple or complex, every design must be formed as an unbroken, continuous piece. With careful study you will notice the clever links the Chinese have developed to connect integral parts of the picture without spoiling the picture. Paper Cutting Tools Generally, there are two common methods for paper cutting, depending on whether they are cut with scissors or knives. The system used by Chinese paper cutters with scissors is used nowhere else. A continuous line is formed in and around the paper. Interior features are reached by incising a snip to reach the area and then cutting away a circle into whatever shape is desired. This method is best for making one or two pieces at a time. Thus this method is preferred by master artisans and housewives. The second way is to use knives. Several layers of paper can be cut at once producing considerably more paper cuts in one operation than with scissor cuttings. In China every cutter creates his or her own tools usually made of split bamboo and metal pieces similar to razor blades. These widely varied tools consisted of knives, punches and chisels with sharp blades in a variety of shapes. 
Additional materials used for knife paper cuttings include a wooden box frame coated with substances such as fat, charcoal and beeswax. This mixture upon hardening produces a cutting surface which prevents dulling of the knife. This surface is then cleaned and dusted with flour and a stack of anywhere from 10 to 50 papers are placed in the box frame. This is then topped by a pattern and this plus the papers are either nailed or stitched together. The artisan must now use experience and skill to produce a consistent pattern throughout the whole pile. Parts that have been cut away are removed with a pin.Paper Cutting Around the World Today Paper cutting is in no way an exclusive art of the Chinese, though theirs have a unique look of their own. For example, the Japanese, Europeans and Polish commonly utilize prefolding. The Japanese are traditionally known for family crests; the Germans and Italians for cutting realistic silhouettes and scenes usually on black paper - only the Chinese produce full detailed pictures. As glass replaced the thin paper on windows, paper cutting became less popular until recent years. Today this ancient art flourishes once again in impressively new and inventive ways. Try it yourself and see! Special thanks to Florence Temko, author of Paper Cutting, for her assistance with this article. Florence Temko's book is out of print, but may be available from the publisher through our associate amazon.com. Please click here for further information. Other paper cutting books available through our online bookstore. |
