Chinese Paper Cuts

Historical / Cultural Significance

There are three catagories of Chinese paper cuts, each of which represent flowers, animals, and symbols. Window flowers were originally pasted onto paper windows to secure night time privacy and to allow daylight in. Happy flowers are pasted onto gifts, cakes, and candles. Paper lanterns used for festivals are frequently cut into animal shapes. Papercuts were originially used for silk embroidery, a highly developed, female-oriented craft in China dating back 4000 years. Papercuts were also used as stencils on porcelain and pottery. Patterns vary from district to district and frequently convey symbolic messages from Daoist, Confucist, and Buddhist philosophies. Papercuts also display calligraphy, the art form of writing which displays images and meaning instead of sounds.

Principles and Elements of Design

Papercuts include both geometric and organic shapes that can be either positive or negative. That is, paper can be cut into the shape of an object (positive) or the shape of the object can be cut out of the paper (negative). Form is achieved by applying papercuts to ceremonial masks and pottery. Depending on the materials used, flat papercuts can also have 3 dimensional attributes such as the appearance of shading.

Value is achieved through varying the thickness of cuts to imply lightness and darkness. Implied texture is achieved in much the same way as value. Space is also achieved in the arrangement of the papercuts.

Techniques and Methodology

You can use almost any type of paper - origami, wrapping, tissue, etc. Different papers suit different projects. Trace or photocopy your design onto your choice of paper. Carefully cut out the design using scissors (the finer the design, the more delicately the scissors must cut) from the center out. Now paste your design onto colorful tissue backing or onto a solid background. Hang it from your ceiling or tape to a window.

Integration with Music, Dance, Drama

Art, drama and music meld together through opera, the most popular form of entertainment in China. Papercuts created by master papercutters enhance the visual dramatic effects of opera masks. In China, opera incorporates singing, dancing, acting, poetry, recitation, mime, acrobatics, and martial arts skills.

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