Paper Cutting
Paper cutting is a folk art that involves using scissors or art knives to cut patterns and scenes in paper for decorative purposes or to convey specific meanings.
Before paper was invented, people used thin materials such as gold or silver foil to carve hollowed patterns to make art. The earliest written record of paper cutting in ancient China dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.) when King Cheng of Zhou cut a parasol tree leaf into the shape of a jade gui (a ritual jade that symbolized statues). After the Northern and Southern dynasties (420-589), paper cutting gradually gained in popularity among the people, and various paper cutting works with complete compositions and utilizing different techniques came into existence. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), different types of paper cuts were created, including those used to adorn windows, lanterns, and tea cups. The art of paper cutting reached its peak in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1616-1911) dynasties. Paper cuts were used to decorate almost anything, especially for interior decor. In modern times, especially since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the contents of paper cutting have been enriched, incorporating the everyday life and work of all walks of life and folk customs as common themes.
The art of paper cutting is known for its ability to combine images of various objects to represent different meanings and express good wishes. For example, cranes and pine trees are symbols of longevity, while patterns of babies, gourds (which sound similar to the Chinese characters fu and lu, meaning "happiness" and "good fortune"), and lotus flowers symbolize blessings and fertility. During the Spring Festival, it is common to use paper cuts of the Chinese zodiac animal of that year to decorate windows. Gradually, colored paper-cutting made with shading and dyeing methods has emerged, making the art of paper cutting more expressive. The art has developed different schools and styles. The northern school is bold and unconstrained, while the southern school is graceful and elegant.
The art of paper cutting has continued to evolve. It has been integrated into the social life of all ethnic groups, becoming an integral part of various folk activities. It is also an important folk handicraft. In 2009, Chinese paper-cutting was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
剪紙藝術
剪紙是一種用剪刀或刻刀在紙上剪刻出各種造型、場景，以裝點生活、表達特定寓意的民間藝術。
在紙張發明之前，人們往往在金銀箔片上鏤空雕刻各種圖案花紋等，制成工藝品。西周時期，周成王將梧桐葉剪成玉圭的形狀，這是中國古代有關剪紙藝術的最早文獻記載。南北朝以后，剪紙藝術在民間逐漸盛行，出現了構圖完整、手法多樣的剪紙作品。宋代剪紙名目繁多，出現了貼于窗上的“窗花”和用于燈彩、茶盞的剪紙裝飾。到了明清時期， 剪紙藝術走向成熟，作為全民性藝術作品廣泛用于家居裝飾。近代以來至中華人民共和國成立后，剪紙創作內容更加豐富，各行各業生產生活和風俗民情等成為剪紙作品的常見題材。
剪紙藝術善于把多種物體形象組合在一起，代表不同寓意，表達美好愿望。比如，仙鶴、松樹象征長壽；娃娃、葫蘆、蓮花等圖案象征多子多福。春節時，當年生肖的剪紙窗花就十分常見。隨著時代發展，民間出現了用套色點染等方法制作的彩色剪紙，強化了剪紙作品的表現力。剪紙藝術還形成了不同的流派與風格，如中國北方派作品豪放粗獷，南方派風格婉約細膩。
在中國歷史上，剪紙藝術自誕生以來從未中斷，它交融于各族人民的社會生活，是各種民俗活動的重要組成部分， 也是民間手工藝術的重要形態。2009年，“中國剪紙”列入聯合國教科文組織人類非物質文化遺產代表作名錄。
