A brief analysis of the meaning of exorcism and blessing in Yuxian paper-cutting
The first theme of warding off disasters and evil spirits is the door god painting. Among Chinese folk, the door god is the deity worshiped by people to protect the door. As early as before the Han Dynasty, our country had the custom of using colored paint to paint the two door gods of tea and yu on the door and the peach tree man, and hang reed ropes on the inner door "to ward off evil spirits". After the Tang Dynasty, images of door gods such as "Zhong Kui", "Statue of Guan Gong", "Qin Qiong and Jing De" appeared one after another. In the long historical development process, door god paintings have experienced the transformation from gods to humans, and gradually shed their superstitious colors and were replaced by pious thoughts of exorcising evil spirits and bringing good fortune.
People in Yuxian County like to listen to operas. Local folk artists designed and produced paper-cut works about door gods based on Jin opera scripts and the images of heroes in the operas. For example, the paper-cut work "Door God" by Nanbin Paper-cutting Co., Ltd., Yu County, Hebei Province, the image of the door god comes from the historical hero Guan Yu in the popular local Jin opera "Three Heroes Fight Lu Bu", showing the peoples support for the national hero who saved the suffering. The worship and desire for righteousness to sweep away evil show the local people’s best wishes for stability and peace.
Yuxian paper-cut
Enjoying blessings and welcoming auspiciousness is an important cultural connotation of folk auspicious art, and it is the peoples desire and pursuit for a happy and beautiful life. The cultural connotation of receiving blessings was often discussed in terms of the Five Blessings in ancient times. The Five Blessings were called longevity, wealth, health, good virtue, and longevity in the Book of Documents. The Five Blessings concept in "Shangshu" was evolved into the five blessing connotations of blessing, wealth, longevity, joy and wealth in later generations, which reflects the secular utilitarian value concept of folk society. The function of auspiciousness is to satisfy the survival psychology of people and enable people to live in harmony with nature and in peace and harmony. The auspicious connotation of art is more directly or indirectly reflected in a symbolic way. The paper-cut pattern of "Fu, Lu, Shou, Xi Wealth" of Yuxian window grilles is the artistic visualization carrier of this kind of hope and ideal, and its essence lies in conveying this auspicious and auspicious ideal and intention. In the vast rural areas of Yu County, Hebei Province, every household has the custom of putting up window grilles during festivals.
Putting up window grilles is, on the one hand, lively and adds to the festive atmosphere, and on the other hand, it is auspicious.. The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the "Little New Year" among the people in Yu County. The market is very busy, and every household comes to "make New Years goods". For example, at the South Island Market in Yuxian County, there are three families selling window grilles called "Liangzi". They are all from Nanzhangzhuang, and one of them is Wang Ting, an old man who once learned art from Mr. Wang. There are three window flower stalls in Nuanquan Town Market. One of them is artist Li Jinhua and her sister-in-law from Beiguanbao Village, one is artist Zong Yueqin from West Village, and the other is artist Bai Zhanbin from West Taipingzhuang. The window decoration patterns sold by these stores all reflect "good fortune, longevity and happiness", such as peaches, Ganoderma lucidum, melon dishes, peonies, dragons and phoenixes, zodiac signs and other flowers, birds, fish, insects, birds and animals, as well as the coming of good fortune, abundant wealth, wealth and longevity. Auspicious patterns such as good luck, red plum blossoms, and abundant wealth. Local folk artists use the artistic method of window grilles to express their love and desire for life with sincerity, freedom and endless imagination. Peoples good wishes for good fortune, good luck, longevity, happiness and wealth are vividly expressed It is reflected in the "Fu Lu Shou Xi Cai" pattern on the window grilles.
