The culture of reproduction in Yuxian paper-cutting
Survival and reproduction are the eternal themes of folk art. Humanitys worship of life and the eternal consciousness of life reproduction are eternal. In folk paper-cut patterns, whether they directly reflect peoples worship of life, or use metaphors to express peoples desire for life and reproduction, they all reflect the workers' attitude towards life in which emotion is greater than reason.
For example, the paper-cut work "Big Afu" by the Danyu Liangxing Paper-cutting Factory in Yu County, the artist grasped the main characteristics of the childs big head and short body, especially exaggerating the proportions of the head and hands and feet, presenting an oval body with a prominent front and left and right sides. It is symmetrical, omitting complicated details, and using simple and round lines to separate the hands and feet. The image is full and round, simple and honest, vivid in expression, bright in color and rich in decoration. The image of a fat doll with "blessing" is created. The mention of Big Afu comes from a legend in Huishan. A long time ago, a monster was rampant in Huishan area. A child named Shahaier subdued the monster. The people were grateful for Dai Shahais kindness, so they worshiped the two statues all year round and respectfully called them "Big Afu". "The arms and legs are rounded, the waist is rounded, the head is big, the face is big, and there is no neck." The unique shape of Da Afu reflects the creators' thinking on ideological content and modeling expression, and also reflects the spiritual connotation shared by traditional Chinese culture.
Yuxian Folk Paper-cutting—Da Afu
From myths and legends to the final image creation, Big Afu is exactly the people’s simple psychological needs to eliminate evil and avoid disasters and protect children from reality. It has gradually developed and sublimated into a carrier of people’s pursuit of spiritual beliefs and wishes for blessings. It is the peoples desire to protect children from disease and disaster and grow up healthily. It is full of the meaning of protecting living beings and the infinite worship of life. If "Big Afu" is a direct appeal for peoples belief in life worship, then "Tree of Life" uses a metaphorical method to express the pursuit of the reproduction of life. The "Tree of Life" reflects the long-standing combination of natural objects and people in the hearts of the working people of our country. It symbolizes the spirit of all things and isA celebration of life and reproduction. For example, the paper-cut work "Tree of Life" by artist Zhou Shuying of Nanzhangzhuang, Yu County, uses lotus leaves to design the roots of the tree of life, and uses elements such as lotus seeds, yin and yang fish, pomegranates, peaches, gourds, and bats to form the branches and branches of the tree of life. Leaves. The homophony and connotation of these constituent elements hide people’s strong yearning and endless desire to return to the source of life and merge with the underworld, as well as the eternal pursuit of returning to reproductive entities and the reproduction of life.
