Also known as jianzhi, is a popular art integral to daily life throughout the country and is practiced by many ethnic groups.
The original Jianzhi originated from cutting patterns for rich Chinese embroidery, and eventually, it became folk art in itself. It is believed that Jianzhi can be traced back to the 2nd century CE, when Cai Lun, a court official of the Eastern Han Dynasty, invented paper. In China, paper-cutting, once a popular folk art form, became one of the most important forms as paper became more affordable.
Since cut-outs are used to decorate doors and windows, they can sometimes be referred to as window grilles; chuang hua, means window flowers or window paper-cuts. These cut-out decorations are often glued to the exteriors of windows, allowing light to shine through the negative space. Various motifs are present, and some are devised by the artists. The purpose of the product, which may use for interior decoration, festivities, or prayers depends on the region of origin. Paper cutouts formerly served as patterns for embroidery and lacquer work.
There are several distinctive uses for Jianzhi in Chinese culture, almost all of which are intended to promote health, wealth, and prosperity. Normally, the artwork is made of red paper to symbolize luck and happiness during festivities, but other colors are also used. Chinese characters symbolizing the Chinese zodiac are also often seen on Jianzhi cuttings. Also, it is believed that paper cutouts are pasted on or near entrances to bring good luck.
Generally a female pursuit, it is transmitted from mother to daughter over a long period of time, beginning in childhood, and is especially common in rural areas. It is highly respected and admired by the most skilled artists, and many techniques are used, such as cutting and engraving with chisels, coloring, or leaving the paper blank. Modern technologies are increasingly used. In all ethnic groups in China, paper-cut is integral to social life as it reflects the moral principles, philosophical views, and aesthetic ideals of its exponents. It continues to be an expression of emotions, and it has experienced an unprecedented resurgence.
In recent years, paper cutting has become a commercial industry. Chinese papercutting remains popular in contemporary China, especially on special occasions meanwhile the youth use cut-paper artworks to decorate their kits and books. Nowadays, paper cuttings are mainly decorative. They are used on walls, windows, doors, columns, mirrors, lamps, and lanterns in homes, as well as on presents or are given as gifts.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/chinese-paper-cut-00219) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_paper_cutting#Uses) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papercutting#Chinese) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_paper_cutting)