The origin of Zigong paper-cutting art and the origin of folk paper-cutting
In China, folk paper-cutting is attached to peoples lives, and even becomes a part of peoples lives. Regardless of the inner meaning of paper-cutting or the outer artistic shape, they are closely linked to the outlook on life, worldview and South American aesthetics of civil society, reflecting the traditional people-oriented cultural spirit.
Zigong paper-cutting is also attached to the daily life of Zigong people. As we all know, Zigong has been famous both at home and abroad for its rich well salt production since ancient times. It has a history of more than 2,000 years. The people of Zigong have been proud of the salt industry for generations, and they have become rich because of salt. Judging from the development process of the city of Zigong, the impact of the salt industry has penetrated into all aspects of economy, culture, and daily life. Among them is the Zigong paper-cut studied by the author. According to the existing data in Zigong, the earliest paper-cut works in Zigong that can be found at present appeared in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. At that time, a big salt merchant in Zigong decided to celebrate the success of digging a salt well, so he put up lanterns in front of and behind his house. To highlight the celebration, he ordered people to post auspicious patterns on the lanterns in front of the door. The earliest paper-cut pattern in Zigong appeared.
The earliest paper-cut patterns mainly involved individual flowers, birds, fish, and insects, and were used as decorations on other daily necessities, such as river lanterns placed during the Spring Festival and animal patterns in revolving lanterns. In this way, paper-cutting entered thousands of households, and gradually began to be used in various celebrations, sacrifices, and blessing ceremonies. In the Zigong area, sacrificial activities have always been highly valued. When someone dies, relatives will prepare many sacrificial items for the deceased, among which paper-cutting is the most important sacrificial item. Outside the mourning hall of the deceased, there must be a thick and long bamboo with a few bamboo leaves on the top and tied with "Wangshan Qian" cut from white paper, about one to two inches long.A ruler with a diameter of one foot and six inches, and a wreath for every ten years. In addition to paying homage to the deceased, "Wangshan Qian" also serves as a notice, informing distant relatives who come to mourn the deceased, the approximate age of the deceased. In addition to "Wangshan money", the sacrifice also needs to prepare "guiding flowers", which function like soul flags, so that the deceased can smoothly embark on the road to heaven. The "Guide Flower" is made by folding and cutting three full-sized pieces of red, yellow, and green paper. The production process is complex and the form is unified. It is usually made by Taoist priests invited by relatives. During the entire sacrificial process, the "guiding flower" will play the role of comforting the deceased and guiding the way to heaven. Finally, it will be burned to the deceased when he is cremated. Therefore, the author believes that the origin of Zigong paper-cutting is inseparable from the Zigong salt industry and local weddings and funerals. In the early days of liberation, Zigong, because it was deeply inland, was not greatly affected by the war, and peoples lives were relatively stable. At that time, both wealthy salt merchants and ordinary farmers widely used paper-cutting as a new art form that was festive and auspicious and brought blessings. The themes of paper cutting began to be diverse, and the craftsmanship began to become more sophisticated. It often appears in peoples daily lives. In addition to window decorations for the New Year, it is also used in embroidery patterns for shoes, hats, pillows, suspenders, waist flowers, etc.
