The aesthetic emotions contained in folk paper-cut patterns
Folk paper-cutting themes emerged from labor. Phenomenons such as rats and fish in real life and the clever use of homophonic Chinese characters together form the source of the paper-cut content. People use simple scissors to cut out their beautiful lives on thin colored paper. Whether it is life etiquette or the seasons of the year, paper-cutting always accompanies them all the way. According to the old custom, having more children is a blessing, so seeking children has become an important theme in paper-cutting. Five children climb a big tree, and the name "Five Sons Dengke" means that not only will they have many children, but all of them will gain fame and honor their ancestors. Pomegranates have many seeds. Cutting one or several pomegranates with split mouths is called "Liu Kai Bai Zi". The paper-cutting in weddings is festive and prosperous, with the content of "full" highlighted. All kinds of birds, animals, flowers, plants and trees are included to symbolize the happy aesthetic emotions of the whole family.
Folk paper-cutting theme - Cowherd and Weaver Girl
The content of paper-cut patterns in birthday gifts is directly related to birthday celebration activities. There are "Eight Immortals Celebrating Birthday", "Hundred Butterflies Celebrating Birthday" and "Eight Lucky Gods". A metaphor for longevity and happiness. In the New Year celebrations, paper-cutting mainly appears in the form of window grilles and door stickers. The paper-cutting at this time was mainly festive and auspicious, and also had the content of warding off evil spirits and providing disaster relief. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival. Because the main activities of the program are lantern viewing and lantern racing, it is also called the Lantern Festival among the people. Therefore, the lights are covered with lanterns made of paper cuts, adding to the festive atmosphere of the festival. The seventh day of the seventh lunar month, commonly known as the "Qixi Festival", is said to be the day when the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meet. The paper-cuts created by people during this period are all about praising love and yearning for a happy marriage.
Laborers are the founders of art and the creators of life. The beautiful emotions contained in the hearts of workers are the life foundation of art and life. Folk paper-cutting art originates from and is applied to daily life, making working peoples lives more colorful and full of fun.
