An introduction to Yi folk paper-cutting

Yi paper-cutting is the embroidery and intarsia pattern of Yi clothing. Lantana flowers worshiped by the Yi people and common camellias are often used in corsages, waist flowers, pillow flowers, hat flowers, and arm flowers. The fire patterns, sun patterns, fire heart patterns (or sun wheel patterns), rooster patterns, and dragon and phoenix patterns worshiped by the Yi people mostly symbolize ancestral spirits, while gourds, melons, tigers, etc. symbolize good omens.

The lines of paper-cutting are scattered in thickness, straight and straight, often forming independent pictures, which pays great attention to the integrity and rhythm of the composition. Paper-cutting is mostly an organic combination of practicality and aesthetics. Generally, according to the position, size, and shape of the decorative object, the corresponding image is filled in and decorated, so that the practical function and decorative effect, pattern form and motif meaning are organically unified, thus To achieve the purpose of overall harmony. The cutting and carving techniques are mostly based on Yang lines, and the overlapping cutting method is rarely used, which is more lively.

The motifs often have the same auspicious meanings as those of the Han people, such as "Lotus Noble Son", "Deer and Crane Spring Together" and so on. To adapt to the different requirements of "flower making" techniques, the patterns used for embroidery are more handsome, while the patterns used for patchwork tend to be thicker. The same patchwork pattern is found in southern Yunnan, with gentle swirling patterns, while in central Yunnan, there are strong geometric shapes and silhouettes of birds and animals. It can be seen from this that within the national culture, various crafts and technologies penetrate each other and learn from each others strengths.