The aesthetic characteristics of Chinese folk paper-cutting
The traditional Chinese folk aesthetic consciousness has long maintained an inseparable relationship with the entire civil society background and cultural concepts, which is integrated, permeable and integrated. In the final analysis, it lies in the pursuit of "goodness". The hidden meaning of "goodness" includes auspiciousness, happiness, and perfection. Goodness also carries the meaning of social ethics and morality. Especially in Confucius' theory, goodness is the foundation, and beauty and goodness are highly unified, and have a profound influence on people and things. , and have an important impact on future generations. The traditional Chinese aesthetic consciousness emphasizes the concern for the value of life, the satisfying feeling of happiness, and the good content that is consistent with the utilitarian purpose of life. Chinese paper-cutting follows the principle of Confucianism. When formulating the aesthetic standards of beauty and ugliness, it attaches great importance to the human ethics and social significance of objects. This aesthetic standard reflects the admiration of human ethics and morality in traditional Chinese culture, and is reflected in the selection of themes and the express emotions. Paper-cutting mainly expresses peoples pursuit of ideals and wishes, as well as auspicious themes. Most of the content is about survival, wealth, good luck, warding off evil, etc. It is the realistic sustenance of life. This ideal is expressed with a metaphorical object. This allegorical, symbolic and symbolic expression technique is a unique product of Chinese folk culture.
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In other words, paper-cutting is a kind of spiritual production and a need to express and communicate feelings. What infuses the work is beauty, love, and yearning for a better life. We can understand why there are no tears or sorrow in their works. They use their works to express beautiful homophonic meanings. Homophonic meaning is the most common form in the collection of paper-cut patterns. It uses the homophony of words and uses patterns such as animals, flowers, birds, fish and insects to express long-cherished wishes in order to achieve good fortune and success. For example, the magpie is considered a bird that symbolizes good luck among the people. People regard the arrival of the magpie as a symbol of good news, indicating that happy events are coming to their door. The pattern of "Happy Eyebrows" is also called "Magpie Climbing the Plum Blossoms". "Plum" is a homophone to the word "Mei" on the eyebrows. The magpie standing on the plum branches and chirping in the painting is an auspicious sign, symbolizing that happy events are approaching. Another example is "A House Full of Gold and Jade", the "goldfish&rd" in the painting"Tang" is homophonic to "gold and jade", with lotus leaves, lotus flowers and water plants symbolizing the lotus pond. "Tang" is homophonic to "tang", and "gold and jade filling the hall" is used to symbolize longevity and wealth. Some people also refer to "gold and jade" as talented and learned people, hoping that there will be many talents in the family. There are many forms of metaphors in folk patterns, such as mandarin ducks, butterflies, and pedicled flowers symbolizing a happy marriage; pomegranates, peanuts, and lotus pods symbolizing many children and blessings; there are also peonies symbolizing wealth, magpies announcing good news, pine cranes symbolizing longevity, and friendship. The long-lasting harmony between the two immortals, the endless branches of flowers and descendants, and so on. Homophones include peace and peace in the vase, green and white cabbage, abundance every year in Pisces, auspiciousness in the rooster, gold medal title in the deer (Lu), etc. Some paper-cuts directly express feelings, such as blessings from Heavenly Officials, Magu offering birthdays, Guanyin offering children, etc. The traditional patterns of paper-cutting are inseparable from myths and folklore, as well as animals, fish, chickens (birds), flowers, melons and fruits. The theme patterns of paper-cutting include liger pattern, fish lotus pattern, chicken and bird pattern, pomegranate and peony pattern, melon and fruit pattern, gourd pattern, cordyceps pattern, doll pattern, myth pattern, story pattern, group pattern, farming pattern, pig and sheep pattern , utensil pattern, etc.
Chinese paper-cutting is one of the aesthetic forms of Chinese folk culture, and it can also be said to be a carrier of folk culture. Due to the needs of witchcraft culture and the prosperity of various local customs, paper-cut culture has a long and prosperous period as a carrier of etiquette and customs. In recent years, due to the development of science, paper-cutting as a way to ward off evil spirits has almost disappeared, and other paper-cuttings used to pray for blessings have also declined due to changes in social conditions. The scale of paper-cutting art has also shrunk. However, in some closed areas, paper-cutting art still exists as a carrier of folk customs. Paper-cutting is a product of the agricultural economy. As history progresses, many ethnic groups have gradually faded away, and ethnic boundaries have become increasingly blurred. This ancient folk art is now also facing severe challenges and impacts from the commodity economy.
