Yin and Yang Philosophy in Yuxian Paper-cutting

The Chinese view of yin and yang has a long history and is deeply rooted. The original meaning of yin and yang refers to the direction of sunlight, which is yang when facing the sun and yin when facing away from the sun. Ancient thinkers saw that all phenomena have positive and negative aspects, so they used the concept of yin and yang to explain the two opposing and mutually increasing and declining material forces in nature.

Folk paper-cutting-snake and rabbit

The unity of opposites and the development and changes of Yin and Yang philosophy have brought endless styles to folk art. In Chinese folk paper-cutting art, due to the influence of the Yin-Yang philosophical concept, the opposite pattern of Yin-Yang and the shape of pairs can be seen everywhere. For example, the paper-cut work "Snake and Rabbit" by Jiaos Paper-cutting Co., Ltd. in Yu County, Hebei Province, the rotating snake and the static rabbit are cleverly placed opposite each other in a circle, stretching freely, opposite to each other, taking care of each other and creating interest in each other. The beauty of this paper-cut pattern creates a sense of movement that is extremely coordinated and contradictory. The movement and stillness between yin and yang contains the simple materialist dialectics, reflecting the mutual opposition, mutual penetration, interdependence and mutual influence of yin and yang.

The snake and the rabbit not only show the philosophical connotation of yin and yang through its formal beauty, but also cleverly metaphorize the philosophical meaning of male and female marriage and the intersection of yin and yang. In Chinese folk, snakes are full of mystery and are often regarded as magical and auspicious gods. According to legend, Nuwa is a god with the head of a human and the body of a snake, so snakes are closely related to human reproduction. Rabbit is a gentle and kind-hearted animal, which is said to be auspicious. For example, the "Auspicious Picture" says, "The red rabbit is an auspicious beast, and the king will be virtuous." The snake and the rabbit contain the philosophical concept of yin and yang of the union of men and women and the transformation of all things. It is an implicit symbol of the concept of yin and yang, the interaction of all things, and the concept of survival and reproduction. . According to the zodiac signs, the Snake is witty and good at collecting money, while the Rabbit is gentle and good at keeping money. They are the most auspicious signs for marriage. Such a marriage between a man and a woman will lead to a harmonious and prosperous family and a happy marriage. Therefore, there is a saying among the people in Yu County that "a snake coiled around a rabbit will definitely be rich."