The combination of symbolic images in Shaanxi folk paper-cutting
This creative concept reflects the authors extremely strong subjective intention and has a strong symbolic connotation. For example, the paper-cut work "Xiangbaobao" circulated in Qishan, Shaanxi is based on the sachets worn by people during the Dragon Boat Festival. Through the flat expression of the creation, the entire shape looks like a blooming lotus, but when viewed seriously, it turns out to be a beautiful goldfish. In this shape, we can see the image of the "Five Poisons". The "five poisons" include: frogs, scorpions, scorpions, spiders, and snakes. The "five poisons" symbolize the auspicious connotations of "fighting poison with poison" and "repelling insects and avoiding harm". There are also goldfish that symbolize "a house full of gold and jade", which is peoples prayer and desire for the beauty of life.
There are many images of roosters in paper-cuttings. If we only understand the roosters in the works as roosters. Obviously, the work will become pale and feeble. Generally speaking, it has the auspicious meaning of "chicken" and "ji" which have the same pronunciation. In the work, you can see that the symbol inside the chicken-shaped body is "yin", which is the symbol of "kun", the female. In this picture, the chicken is "gan", which is the yang in the ancient Yin-Yang philosophy. Therefore, the metaphorical meaning of this work is the union of yin and yang, the marriage of men and women, and the reproduction of offspring. In Xihua, influenced by traditional Chinese culture, "the expressions of love and reproduction are often more implicit", so there are more metaphorical symbols. For example, in "Fish Crossing the Lotus", the lotus is used to symbolize the feminine, and the fish is used to symbolize the masculine, thus symbolizing the union of men and women.
