Paper-cutting is an important part of the splendid Chinese culture and art. It has a long history and is called the ancient "living fossil". ? Tracing back to its origin, there was a poem of "painting yellow on the mirror" in Mulan Ci in the Southern and Northern Dynasties before 1511. Paper-cuts of patterned flowers unearthed in the ancient tombs in Astana, Turpan, Xinjiang, such as Dui Ma and Dui Lu, are very distinctive. Its exquisite composition and skillful skills are amazing. At that time, paper-cutting has been used in screens, headdresses and other aspects, playing a role in festival decorations.
During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, this custom was followed and developed. In Peng Ya Xing, Du Fu said, "Warm soup makes me feel good, and paper-cutting appeals to my soul". Paper-cutting has shown a trend of expansion and development.
Paper-cutting was widely spread among the people in the Song Dynasty. Every holiday, people decorated lanterns, stick grilles and decorated gifts with paper-cutting to enhance the festive atmosphere. Paper-cutting is also indispensable for marriage, which is used to decorate new houses and bride price. According to legend, double happiness, that is, the word Xi Xi, was created by Wang Anshi. At this point, paper-cutting is also used for doornotes, embroidery patterns, ceramic patterns, woodwork carving, printing and dyeing patterns, and sacrificial products. ?
Ming Dynasty: Paper-cutting techniques have reached a very high level. A folding fan of Ming Dynasty unearthed in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province in 1965, and a picture of "Plum Magpie in Spring" sandwiched between two layers of paper, has superb paper-cutting techniques and exquisite details. Paper-cutting in Ming Dynasty is not only unique in domestic national crafts, but also enjoys a good reputation overseas and sells well in Southeast Asia.
Qing Dynasty: Paper-cutting is no longer a matter for the people, but has entered the court. During the Anti-Japanese War: Yan 'an Jiangfeng, Ai Qing, Zhang Ding, Chen Shuliang and other pioneers of the older generation went deep into the countryside of northern Shaanxi to investigate and explore the treasure house of folk paper-cutting art, and edited and published the Collection of Folk Paper-cutting.
After liberation, in 1953, the Chinese Ministry of Culture held the first national exhibition of folk arts and crafts, and the exhibitions continued. With the continuous development and progress of society, paper-cutting has become a popular art. Modern paper-cut artists, breaking through the management of the ancients, boldly innovate on the basis of ancient customs, and make a novel and unique art form of paper-cut appear in the art world.
Today's paper-cutting creation is no longer limited to the folk custom of "happy characters, window grilles and snuff" and embroidery patterns, but follows the trend of modern art and enters into stage art, film and television, stamps, packaging design, art performances, large-scale exhibitions, costume design, national costumes, hotels, catering decorations, newspapers and magazines, etc., which are closely related to people's lives.