Overview of Window Decoration Paper Cutting
When it comes to paper-cutting, the first thing that comes to peoples minds is the paper-cutting pasted on the windows of many homes in northern my country. These paper-cuttings are usually pasted on the windows of ordinary peoples homes in the shape of flowers. , so it is also called "window flower". The types of paper-cut window grilles can be simply divided into several categories based on their functions, composition methods and contents.
First, let’s talk about the functional classification of window grilles. In the past, paper-cut window grilles were mostly used as holiday decorations. The well-known folk tradition of "cutting window grilles to celebrate the New Year" is the best interpretation of this function; but not all window grilles are used to decorate festivals and festivals. For the purpose of increasing the festive atmosphere, for example, some window decorations are just a manual leisure activity that people usually do during their leisure time, and they are willing to paste them on their own windows to show their craftsmanship and skills; another function is to cut paper for the purpose of praying, so The paper-cut window grilles have more folk traditional culture and connotation accumulated in them.
In terms of composition, traditional window grilles can be divided into independent and composite types. The so-called independent type is to put a paper-cut window grille inside a window, which is a common composition method in ordinary families. There is also a composite type, that is, a multi-pane window uses a window grille. At this time, the window grille cutting process You need to pay attention to the fact that there are many special requirements for the combination of shapes.
If classified according to the content of window grilles, they can be mainly divided into people and things. The characters are general labor scenes or some mythical and legendary figures who are generally respected and loved by people in the folk. The things category includes various common flowers, plants, birds, fish, poultry and livestock, etc. No matter what form or shape it adopts, paper-cut window grilles represent ordinary peoples blessings for a better and happy life.
These paper-cuts, like embroidery, are mostly made by housewives. After the autumn harvest every year, the family is relatively free. After sewing, they take the time to cut out various window decorations, preparing to make their windows shine with joy in the New Year. The smarter ones imitate and create designs based on real objects, draw them into patterns, fold them on paper and cut them out. Some women don't know how to create, so they take a small wooden board and put a piece of tissue paper (glossy paper) on it.Pin the corners with needles, press the cut patterns on the paper, spray the patterns and paper with clean water until the humidity is enough for the patterns to stick to the paper, then take the pattern-stained board and put it on an oil lamp to smoke. Make the surface of the paper completely blackened by the lamp smoke, then remove the pattern, leaving the white pattern on the paper. Put this pattern on several pieces of folded red and green paper, use thread to pin the four corners and the gaps in the middle of the pattern, and use small scissors to cut along the pattern to create many identical window decorations. I heard that there are some in Hebei
The local window grilles are carved with a carving knife like the shadows of leather.
The pattern of paper-cutting must connect the lines to each other without breaking the pen, so the composition and shape need to be simple and avoid being too delicate and trivial. Otherwise, even if the cut pattern is not damaged, it will be difficult to paste it on the window paper.
