Folk paper-cutting of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties
The capital of the Yuan Dynasty was established in the north, and the rulers were northern ethnic groups. Changes in folk customs also changed the expression of paper-cutting. Paper-cutting is mostly related to specific folk activities. If it rains for a long time, some skilled women will cut a "sweeping girl" and hang it on the door, hoping that the weather will clear up soon. In the past, people described this phenomenon as a superstitious activity. Actually, I don't think so.
I personally think that this form mainly serves as a reminder, because women in ancient times had no social status, they had no right to make decisions at home, and they could not command their husbands to do this or that. So some scheming women used scissors to hint to their husbands that if it rains for a long time and the weather does not clear, they should go to the fields to dig a few drainage ditches to drain away the accumulated water in the fields, otherwise the crops will be waterlogged. If we die, our lives will be impossible. Hang it outside the door as a reminder to passing neighbors.
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Mr. Wang Shucun once recorded a collector of paper-cut art in the Yuan Dynasty. This paper-cut collector is Cen Anqing, the "Sweeping Lady" of Yuyao paper-cutting in Yuyao, Zhejiang. It can be seen that some people have already begun to study the art of paper-cutting in the Yuan Dynasty, but it is a pity that his research and collections have not yet been published.
The art of paper-cutting developed into the Ming Dynasty and flourished. Not only were embroidery-like flowers cut out on lanterns, but flowers and birds were also carved into paper on folding fans, which seemed to be comparable to gauze lanterns. In the winter of 1965, a broken bamboo fan was found among the cultural relics unearthed from the Ming Tomb in Changjing Township, Jiangyin County, Jiangsu Province. There are 18 bamboo bones, and the fan-like surface is mounted on two sides of silk tissue paper, with a piece of paper cut in the middle. The paper-cut pattern shows a magpie perched on a plum branch, with flower branches spread out on the left and right, which means "happy eyebrows" or "plum magpie announces spring". Along the edge of the fan, lace decorative patterns such as Ji characters, turtle backs, persimmon reeds, and cloud patterns are engraved. Gold dots are sprinkled on the fan, and the paper is brown and mottled like ancient utensils. The folding fan was unearthed at the same time as the Shouliang Bo with the inscription "The Tenth Year of Zhengde" (AD 15). The folding fan was unearthed at the same time as the Shouliang Bo.
Ming Dynasty Paper-cuttingFor folding fans, decorative lanterns carved with gold foil patterns, and for porcelain fired into flower patterns, etc., they are all used as decorative arts for daily necessities or ornamental objects.
The art of paper-cutting developed into the Qing Dynasty, and more objects and documents have been handed down than those from the previous dynasty. Among the types of paper-cut objects left over from the Qing Dynasty, embroidered ones are the most numerous, reflecting that people in the Qing Dynasty had greater aesthetic awareness of clothes, hats, and clothing than those of the previous dynasties. The embroidery pattern in paper cutting is commonly known as "embroidery pattern". Folk artists who specialize in window decorations and patterns often appear at temple fairs in urban and rural areas throughout the year, in addition to visiting villages to hawk. Embroidery patterns are closely connected with folk life.
For example, at the Yaowang Temple Fair in the past four months of the lunar calendar, paper-cutting artists often sold "Five Poisons" patterns for women to buy to embroider childrens shoes and bellybands for the "May Day"; They sell patterns with themes such as "Cowherd and Weaver Girl" and embroider purses, scarves, tube tops, pillow tops, etc. for women; at the temple fair in August, paper-cutting artists also introduce "Jade Rabbit Pounding Medicine" and "Chang'e Flying to the Moon". "Waiting for tricks. In addition to the festivals and folk customs of the year, artists also often stock a variety of patterns in the paper-cutting boxes, such as "mandarin ducks playing in the water", "boy holding a fish", "dragon and phoenix presenting auspiciousness", etc., which are needed for weddings or birthdays. In order to achieve auspicious embroidery appearance. The rich and colorful embroidery patterns reflect the close relationship between folk art and peoples lives. If they are collected and displayed, they will have special appreciation value.
Because paper is not easy to preserve, not many ancient paper-cutting objects survive. However, from these only surviving works, it can be seen that the art of paper-cutting has a long history in our country, and it is worthy of being a garden of art in our country. A strange flower among them.
