Hanging paper-cutting in Shaanxi folk paper-cutting
Door stickers: During the Spring Festival, many people have to hang door stickers on their doors. Among the types of paper-cutting, the most widely produced and used ones, besides window grilles, are door paper-cuts. Generally, there are five ordinary door notes in a set, either red or colored. They are pasted side by side on the door, reflecting the door god and Spring Festival couplets, and fluttering slightly in the breeze.
There are many names for door notes. Because they are mostly red, some are called "red notes" or "red money"; and because they are hung down from the door, some are called "hanging money" or "hanging off". In ancient times, there was also an elegant name called "Lei Spy". Its shape is like a small pennant. In fact, it evolved from the ancient "pan". Pan is a flag, and the "D"-shaped silk painting of the Western Han Dynasty unearthed from Mawangdui, Changsha, is a kind of funeral pan. According to Chen Yuanliang of the Yuan Dynastys "Sui Shi Guang Ji" quoted from "The Miscellaneous Notes of the Imperial Dynasty": "On New Years Day, cut forty-nine pans out of crow-green paper or green silk, surround them with large pans, or wear them according to the age of the parents, or stick them on Yu Menmei." It can be seen from this that the paper slippers at that time began to be affixed to Menmei, which was later called the door note.
Paper curtain: This is a decorative curtain, or "hanging curtain". In other words, it has the shape of a curtain but not the reality of a curtain. They are mainly hung on cupboards, food shelves, sacred boxes, and in front of ancestral statues, either completely covering or partially covering the top. Some of the ones hanging in the god box are also called "gods". During the New Year and festivals, people cover their faces with both hands and feet covered with dew in order to look neat and beautiful.
Table skirt: In the etiquette related to life, such as worshiping gods, worshiping ancestors, weddings and other occasions, some require solemnity, and some hope to be lively. Most of them are centered on a square table, with relevant idols, Tablets, incense burners, candlesticks and offerings, etc. The "table surround" in front of the square table is very important. It can not only cover the table, but also form a complete cube. The paper-cut pattern on the table surround can serve as a lining.The role of support. The elegant table surround is made of silk with auspicious patterns embroidered on it. The paper-cut table surround also has this meaning, and is much simpler in comparison. However, the charm of folk art is shown in this case. The whole body is bright red, both solid and exposed, which sets off everything on the table and makes it appear more bright. Folks in northern Shaanxi call table skirts "table skirts", and putting skirts on the table vividly illustrates its purpose and significance. .
