Tracing the origins of the traditional folk paper-cutting art of the Central Plains
Central Plains paper-cut art has penetrated into many aspects of social life. Looking back on history, as early as 6,000 years ago, the painted pottery of the Yangshao culture had swirl patterns that were very similar to paper-cut patterns, showing the simplicity and smoothness of paper-cut art. The Simuwu Ding ding and other bronze vessels from the Yin Ruins that were unearthed in modern times and were cast more than 3,000 years ago are not only magnificent and spectacular in shape, but the patterns on the vessels are even more complex and exquisite, with various patterns such as carved lines and reliefs. More than 750 pieces of exquisite jade were unearthed from Fuhaos tomb in the Yin Ruins, including ivory cups, bronze mirrors, bronze wares and other vessels. Among them, the round carvings, relief human figures and human-animal jade wares used carved lines (convex and concave patterns) and inlays. With a variety of extremely difficult decorative techniques, it can be called a world art treasure and has become the oldest arts and crafts discovered in the history of our country. These facts strongly prove that ancient humans living in Zhongzhou already had the aesthetic consciousness of hollowing out and carving thousands of years ago.
Du Fu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, was born in Gong County, Henan. The term "paper-cutting" once appeared in his poem "Peng Ya Xing": "Warm water washes my feet, and paper-cutting shines on my soul." It is said that Hua Mulan is the flower of the east. A native of Bodi (now a native of Yucheng, Shangqiu), and the facial ornament "Hua Huang" in Mulans "Mirror Applique Yellow" in "Mulan Poems" should also be a kind of engraved ornament. There is a legend circulating in the western Henan area of ??"Cut a golden ox and pass through Hangu Pass", which basically means that the great philosopher Laozi (from Luyi, Henan) during the Warring States Period, who was revered as the ancestor of Taoism, rode an ox through Hangu Pass (ascension to heaven). Using gold foil to cut the Spring Cow window decorations is given to the people as a talisman to ward off evil spirits and avoid disasters. Nowadays, most areas in Henan still retain the folk custom of welcoming spring plowing and shearing the Spring Cow on the 23rd of the first lunar month.
