An introduction to Daur folk paper-cutting

The folk paper-cutting of the Daur people has a long history. Women are the main creators of paper-cutting art. The paper-cutting of the Daur people mainly includes "Hanika" (paper puppet in Daur language), toy carriages and horses, patterns, decorations, etc. kind. The "Hanika" paper puppet is a toy for little girls. It is composed of a paper-cut character head and a conical body that can stand, and then a paper-cut waistcoat, accessories, etc. are added to the body; the entire body can also be cut out from a piece of paper. The body, including the outline of the head, headdress, clothing, hands and feet, etc., is then bent from the middle into a sitting position. Toy carriages and horses are also mostly used in childrens games. Just cut out the outlines of horses, cows, dogs, deer and other animals in standing, running and other postures.

The embroidery patterns mainly use paper-cut patterns to embroider on robes, gloves, boots, pillow tops, cradle headlinings, etc., paying more attention to symmetry, mainly suitable for patterns, and also have symbolic meaning. There is also a kind of decorative paper-cut, which is mainly used for indoor paper-made ceilings, mainly with cloud scroll patterns, butterfly flowers, and floral patterns. Red color paper is often used to cut corner flowers.