In the traditional culture of China, longevity peach is regarded as a symbol of longevity, which is fully reflected in Chinese paper-cutting art. As a form of folk art in China, paper-cutting has a variety of themes, among which Shoutao has become a classic paper-cutting pattern. This paper will discuss the symbolic significance of Shoutao in Chinese paper-cutting art and the cultural connotation behind it.
Shoutao, also known as flat peach, is a delicious fruit that only immortals can enjoy in myths and legends. According to the biography of Hanwu, Shoutao is a peach given by the Queen Mother of the West to Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty. Eating it can make people look forever and live for thousands of years. In Chinese paper-cutting art, the peach is often cut into a round or heart shape, mostly red in color, with smooth edge lines and full shape, which symbolizes the exuberance of life and the long years.
Paper-cut Culture in China
Chinese paper-cutting is a kind of folk art that uses scissors or carving knives to cut and carve patterns on paper, which is used to decorate life or cooperate with other folk activities. In China, paper-cutting has a broad mass base, blending in the social life of people of all ethnic groups, and is an important part of various folk activities.
Its continuous visual image and modeling format contain rich cultural and historical information, express the social cognition, moral concept, practical experience, life ideal and aesthetic taste of the general public, and have multiple social values such as cognition, expressiveness, lyricism and entertainment.
The invention of paper was in the Western Han Dynasty BC, before which it was impossible to have the art of paper-cutting. But at that time, people used thin materials to make handicrafts by hollowing out and carving, but it was popular long before paper appeared, that is, cutting patterns on gold foil, leather, silk and even leaves by carving, carving, picking, carving and cutting.
The above contents refer to Baidu Encyclopedia-Paper-cutting.