Paper-cutting is an old craft that sounds familiar, but not many people actually know how to do it.
After so many years, as intangible cultural heritage slowly returns to the public's attention, paper-cutting, a traditional cultural form, has once again entered the daily lives of many people.
It is not just as simple as a piece of red paper, nor is it just a pair of scissors. What is hidden behind it is the inheritance of craftsmanship that has gone through thousands of years, and the Chinese people's simple expression of a better life.
Now, I will lead you to sort out the past and present of paper-cutting from the beginning, and talk about what this art at your fingertips is all about.
Thousands of years of inheritance: the historical origins of paper-cutting
Many people actually think that paper-cutting is a folk skill that only appeared in modern times, but in fact its roots are deeply rooted.
According to the existing archaeological excavation results and documentary research, the history of paper-cutting can be traced back to the period from 1600 to 1100 BC, which was the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
At that time, although paper had not yet been born, people were already using gold and silver foil, leaves, leather and other thin materials to make decorations by hollowing out and carving them. This craft technique was actually the original form of paper-cutting.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cai Lun improved the papermaking technology. After that, paper gradually became popular, and paper-cutting actually used paper as a carrier and truly became popular among the people.
In the past, paper-cutting served more for folk activities and religious ceremonies.
During festivals, weddings and funerals, people use paper-cutting to express their wishes.
For example, putting up window grilles during the Spring Festival means getting rid of the past and ushering in a new one; putting up the character "囍" at weddings means being full of joy and reunion; cutting out paper money and paper figures during sacrifices is used to express the memory of the deceased ancestors.
As times change, the functions of paper-cutting are slowly changing.
Today's paper-cutting, in addition to retaining traditional customs, is more commonly used as something for home decoration or as an art gift, appearing in our lives.
A well-made paper-cut can be framed and hung in the living room, or given as a souvenir to relatives and friends. Doing so is full of heart and culture.
One side of water and one side of art: the regional style of paper-cutting
China has a vast territory, and the customs and habits of different places are different, as well as the history and culture of different places. Therefore, the styles presented by paper-cutting are diverse.
Northern paper-cutting is mostly famous for its rough and bold style, such as paper-cutting in Shaanxi, Shandong, Hebei and other places. Its lines are simple and powerful, and its shape is vigorous, revealing the simple elements of the Loess Plateau.
Relatively delicate and delicate are southern paper-cuts, such as paper-cuts from Zhejiang and Jiangsu. The composition presents an exquisite and clear look, and the knife skills are particularly particular.
Among them, Guangdong Foshan Paper-cutting It is a very representative one.
The history of paper-cutting in Foshan can be traced back to the Song Dynasty, and it was most prosperous during the Ming Dynasty.
At that time, Foshan was a commercial center in Lingnan, and the art of paper-cutting was widely spread among the people. It was not only popular among locals, but was also exported to various countries in Southeast Asia, thus becoming a small window for cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.
What is particularly special is the so-called copper chisel paper-cutting, which actually replaces the paper with copper foil, and then uses a small hammer and chisel to carve out the pattern bit by bit, showing a magnificent appearance, which is very characteristic of the Lingnan region.
Starting from scratch: basic skills and techniques of paper-cutting
If you want to learn paper-cutting well, you don't have to rush, you have to take it step by step.
Many novices think that they can cut just by picking up scissors. In fact, painting This is the basic skill of paper-cutting.
Paper-cutting has the emphasis of "having a picture in mind and a style in hand". If there is no certain basis for painting, then the cut patterns will easily appear out of shape and may be out of proportion.
So, at this stage of getting started, you might as well start practicing with simpler line drawings. First, properly control the smoothness of the lines, and then grasp the precise characteristics of the shape.
Once you have passed the basics of painting, you can start using it. Scissors Cut.
At this stage, you must pay special attention to the basic symbols of paper-cutting. These basic symbols are the smallest units that construct paper-cutting works.
Common ones include small round hole , crescent shape , Zigzag , Willow leaf shape , drop shape and triangle .
These small symbols may seem simple, but they can be combined into ever-changing patterns.
The crescent-shaped one is suitable for showing the characters' eyebrows and clothing lines, the zigzag-shaped one is often used to represent animal hair or flower stamens, and the small round hole-shaped one can be used to embellish details such as eyes and flower centers.
When practicing, you can start with simple symmetrical patterns, such as cutting out a flower or a butterfly, and slowly find the feel.
When you feel comfortable using scissors, you can try using burin Perform fine processing.
The carving knife is suitable for processing complex internal textures, such as characters' facial features, hollow patterns, etc.
However, you must be extremely careful when using a carving knife, because the edge of the knife is extremely sharp, and if you are not careful at all, you can easily injure your hand.
When engraving, you need to use a professional cutting board to cushion the bottom so that the wrist can remain stable. When advancing one knife after another, it always maintains a stable state, so that the carving can be completed smoothly.
Stories around us: The practice of paper-cutting on campus
The school I originally attended started paper-cutting as a subject three years ago.
Everyone thought it was new at first, but when you really learn it, you realize it’s not easy.
Fortunately, the school invited local inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to teach, starting from teaching the basics of painting, and then explaining in depth how to use scissors, and then gradually leading everyone to the door of learning.
Over the past few years, the paper-cutting skills of teachers and students have greatly improved.
The school's paper-cutting club is also very successful and organizes themed creations every year.
Works such as "Christmas Music", "Harvest", and "Flower Dance" were all carefully designed by teachers and students and completed after repeated revisions.
Some of them have won awards in competitions held at the municipal level, and some have been selected and sent to be displayed at intangible cultural heritage exhibitions held in the province.
Looking at something that has been recognized by many people and cut out by oneself, everyone feels a sense of accomplishment.
This act of introducing old craftsmanship into schools not only aroused children's interest, but more importantly, it gave the traditional art of paper-cutting a real inheritor.
The meaning of inheritance: Let paper-cutting go further
There is an art that really takes root among the people, and that is paper-cutting. It carries the memories and emotions of several generations.
Nowadays, with the popularization of mechanized production, the market space of hand-made paper-cutting has been impacted to a certain extent, but its cultural value is increasingly valued.
At present, paper-cutting has been listed as one of the first batch of provincial cultural heritage items that need to be rescued. More and more areas have begun to set up paper-cutting training centers and intangible cultural heritage workshops to encourage young people to learn this skill.
For us ordinary people, inheriting paper-cutting does not require any ambitious goals.
Learn with your mind, cut with your mind, and cut out the style, your own thoughts, and your character from the red paper in your hand. This is the most outstanding inheritance.
Every time during the holidays, I cut a few window grilles for my home, and when my friends celebrate their birthdays, I give them a hand-cut work. Many seemingly ordinary things like this actually help this ancient art continue.
After all, paper-cutting is not just a craft, it is an attitude towards life. In the fast-paced days, let your heart calm down and use a pair of scissors and a piece of red paper to cut out the patience and beauty that belongs to you.
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