Embroidery patterns in Shaanxi folk paper-cutting
Different regions and ethnic groups have different clothing styles and decorations. Some of this type of paper-cutting is used as structural specifications, such as shoe soles, shoe upper styles, etc.; some are used as decorative embroidery patterns, such as ethnic costume embroidery, pillow top flowers, purses, bibs and beanie flower paper-cutting, mostly based on regions and ethnic groups. The worshiped birds, animals, flowers, birds, fish and insects are the main content and become the symbols of the region or tribe.
Shoe flowers and insole flowers: Half a century ago, it was very common for Chinese women to wear embroidered shoes. There were all kinds of embroidered shoes in urban and rural areas, old and young. The "pattern" of embroidered shoes must be symmetrical on the left and right sides of a pair of shoes, so it is perfect to use paper cutting as the base pattern. In order to meet the needs of embroidery, not only women cut patterns by themselves, but also professional flower-cutting artists emerged, who also used knives to carve. Nowadays, with the changes in life, there are not many embroidered shoes. Not only are artists unable to maintain them, but rural women rarely cut this pattern. However, not long ago, this pattern can still be seen among the people. There are many styles of shoe flower pottery, including toe flowers, vamp flowers and half vamp flowers, birthday shoe flowers, sole flowers, etc. In terms of pattern content, It is even more varied, and generally speaking, it has auspicious meanings. The insole flowers are matched with the shoes and are relatively independent. In the past, girls often worked hard on embroidering insoles and made them carefully, then gave them to their lovers, stepped on them, and could only look at them alone, just like embroidering purses, or used them as tokens of love. Therefore, the embroidery content is mostly about double mandarin ducks, butterfly flowers, magpie plum blossoms, etc.; newlywed women embroider the auspicious sayings of "couple and eyebrows are equal" and "together (shoes) till old age". I once saw a pair of embroidered insoles with eight words embroidered on them: Travel thousands of miles away, come back soon. Although the words are simple, they come from the heart, expressing a kind of feeling hidden deep in the heart.
As for a woman who has died in old age, the flowers on her shoes and soles are of a ceremonial nature. The embroidery on the shoe has many meanings. In addition to blessing the deceased, it also tells how the deceased crossed the "Naihe Bridge" in the world.
Pillow top flower: The traditional folk pillow is rectangular, but the ""Pillow top" is a square. Pillow top flowers are embroidered on the two sides of the square. The blue pillow is inlaid with red satin embroidered pillow top on both sides, revealing an active power in calmness. Ordinary pillow top flowers They all have a square outline, and a set of four can be used to embroider a pair of pillows. Just like paintings, because it is a square pottery, the composition is relatively unique. In addition, folk carving artists also participated in this work, making it There are many themes, contents and styles. Nowadays, fewer people use this kind of pillow pottery, but there are many works left in the past, which can be appreciated independently.
Pouch: Have you ever heard of the northern Shaanxi folk song "Embroidered Pouch"? If you hear the pure and melodious singing and understand the emotions contained in it, it will be easy to understand the significance of folk embroidered purse in the world.
Shaanxi purses are generally divided into three categories. One type is for holding money, that is, wallets; the other type is for holding items separately, such as spectacle bags, folding fan cases, etc.; the third type is for wearing incense, that is, sachets. Sachets during the Dragon Boat Festival have become a folk custom, and giving purses at weddings is also a beautiful thing. There are many beautiful things, it all depends on the form. Although the paper-cutting of the purse flower only provides patterns for the purse, it also plays a big role in its shape. How the shape of the purse adapts to its object, and how the pattern of the purse adapts to its shape, are important factors in the form of decorative art. The variety of shapes of the purse is inseparable from the dedication to it.
Aprons and beanies: When young women in rural areas give birth to children, they will focus on dressing them up.
When making clothes, shoes, and hats, embroidery is of course indispensable. Whenever there is a New Year or a holiday, everyone holds their children together, it is like a unique clothing exhibition. It can be said that all forms are distinctive. A variety of tiger head hats, unicorn hats, lotus hats, tiger head shoes, pig head shoes, bibs, bellybands, so-called folk characteristics and ethnic customs, will be on display at this time. The patterns cut for embroidery are mostly adapted to different needs. Some are decorated with flowers within the structure, and some are designed according to the sewing structure. Among folk paper-cuts, this is also a very distinctive category.
In addition, folk paper-cut forms such as fireworks, candlestick flowers, blue calico, and ceramic appliques have their own uses in folk life. They are an indispensable art form for folk etiquette and life decoration.
