Theme patterns in the collection of Chinese folk paper-cut patterns
There are many theme patterns in folk paper-cutting:
"Deer and Crane Spring Together" is a reflection of "sun worship", praising the sun and praising reproduction.
Paper-cut work "Deer and Crane Spring Together"
"Hun Doll" is a unique pattern in the Yan'an area of ??northern Shaanxi. The two buns on the head are cut into chicken shapes. Even the dolls shoulders, clothes corners, and feet are also cut into symmetrical chicken shapes. decorate. But there are many meanings. One is to "drive away evil spirits and eliminate disasters" for the doll; another is to show that the woman is ready to get married; and the other, which I think is a more reasonable explanation, is to pray for the birth of a male child.
Paper-cut work "Hun Doll"
"Chicken Birthday Boy" is a unique pattern in the Yan'an area of ??northern Shaanxi. It is used to bless newlyweds and is posted in the bridal chamber. It is decorated in various forms, including boys, girls, and two deer or chickens. The structure basically abandons the lower limbs (legs) to protrude the "male vagina" part, and decorates it with peonies, expanding to both sides. The child holds the chicken with both hands, sitting or lying down. It has the meaning of "continuous life" and prosperity of offspring, which is actually a wish for the birth of male children.
"Deer Head Flower", the pattern of Wenxi County, Shanxi Province, is a grand celebration and festive fireworks. Its structure is composed of the antlers of a deer and pairs of birds. There are also two types: one is a deers head and horns, paired with birds and peonies; the other is a deers head with horns evolving into goldfish and lotus flowers. Peony and antlers herald spring with the same meaning. "Lotus" matches fish, which should be a metaphor for "Lianzi", praising the reproduction of the race and praying for the prosperity of the race.
"Qilin Sends a Child", wedding customs decorate the bridal chamber with happy flowers. Qilin is not only a sacred animal, but also capable of producing all things, praying for the reproduction of offspring.
Paper-cut work "Qilin Sends a Child"
"Mouse marries a girl", a popular paper-cut pattern, which means prosperous descendants.
Paper-cut work "Mouse Marries Girl"
"Mouse Stealing Oil", a theme pattern with mice and oil lamps as the content, is a praise for the worship of "Son God".
Paper-cut work "Mouse Steals Oil"
"Teapot" is one of the traditional festive window decorations in northern Shaanxi, praising reproduction.
"Buckle Bowl" is a traditional festive window decoration in northern Shaanxi. The two bowls are tightly interlocked and melted into one. Only the protrusions where the bottoms of the upper and lower bowls meet the edges show the difference. In the middle, a doll holding a bun and sitting on a lotus symbolizes life and In terms of reproduction, a chrysanthemum (a homophone for foot) means everything goes well and means contentment. The theme patterns of paper-cutting include "Dragon, Jade and Phoenix", "Butterflies in Love with Flowers", "Fish Playing with Lotus", etc., which I will not go into details here.
In the creation of classical-themed illustrations, it is even more necessary to understand the specific meaning of paper-cut theme patterns and to use them correctly.
