Chinese paper cutting is an old art that developed shortly after paper was invented 2,000 years ago. Though ancient, paper cutting is now widely practiced in the regions all across China. When shopping in Beijing, be sure to check out this unique Chinese art.
In China, paper cutouts are sometimes referred to as "chuang hua," or "window flowers," because people in the countryside like to use them to decorate their windows, doors, and walls. These works often have a double-sided design with images of landscapes, houses, people, animals, or flowers. During festivals, people like to design cutouts with auspicious Chinese characters, like "Fu," "Shou," or "Xi," which mean Fortune, Longevity, and Happiness. In a traditional household, women are responsible for making such items.
It is believed paper art started to take off during the Tang dynasty. The British Museum in London has works made in this period that show a high level of craftsmanship. In the Song dynasty, as the paper-making industry flourished, more varieties of paper were invented, and paper cutting became a very popular pastime for many Chinese. They became so popular, even patterns for porcelain were designed based on paper cutouts. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, this art reached its peak.
There are three main regional styles of paper cutting in China: the southern style, the Jiangzhe style, and the northern style. Cities in these regions produce a variety of sub-styles that have distinctive local characteristics.
The Southern Style: The most well-known cutouts of the southern style are produced in Foshan, Wuhan, and Fujian.
Foshan - Foshan is a city in Guangdong province. Like other Guangdong art, Foshan's paper cutouts are famous for their lavish designs and strong colors. Both Chinese and overseas customers like the work produced here.
Wuhan - Wuhan's paper cutting incorporates elements of the local "Chu" culture. Many famous paper cutout artists in China are from this area. They have created items that have vivid pictures and demonstrate a deep cultural understanding.
Fujian - Animals are the main themes of the paper cutouts made in Fujian. A famous work called "Chicken-Feet Flower" shows a very interesting animal picture.
The Jiangzhe Style: Jiangzhe is the region in China that includes Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Paper cutouts made in these two provinces have their own regional characteristics.
Jiangsu - Jiangsu artists make paper cutouts with beautiful flower designs. The flowers depicted are delicate, lifelike, and give a sense of romance.
Zhejiang - Cutouts produced in this province are famous for their elegant, exquisite craftsmanship. Here, themes mainly focus on things in nature and characters from "Yue" plays. They are used to decorate both windows and lanterns.
The Northern Style: There are three famous northern styles: the Shanxi style, Shaanxi style, and Shandong style.
Shanxi - People in the villages of Shanxi province traditionally live in small caves. One of the most important decorations in their cave-houses are paper cutouts. Their cutouts are simple in design and convey a sense of roughness, typical of the character of the people living in the north of China.
Shaanxi - The geographical location of Shaanxi province is isolated from the rest of China. For this reason, the paper cutouts produced here have preserved many of the oldest patterns from ancient Chinese culture. They are nicknamed "living fossils."
Shandong - Paper cutouts from Shandong are famous for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique appearance. Village women in this province like to use small pieces of various cutouts to decorate windows, so the complete work will have a unique look.
Shop for some exquisite paper cutouts when you are in Beijing. The city's amazing local shops have products that will blow your mind. You can find a personal shopper to help you find the right shops and assist you in dealing with the shop owners.
In China, paper cutouts are sometimes referred to as "chuang hua," or "window flowers," because people in the countryside like to use them to decorate their windows, doors, and walls. These works often have a double-sided design with images of landscapes, houses, people, animals, or flowers. During festivals, people like to design cutouts with auspicious Chinese characters, like "Fu," "Shou," or "Xi," which mean Fortune, Longevity, and Happiness. In a traditional household, women are responsible for making such items.
It is believed paper art started to take off during the Tang dynasty. The British Museum in London has works made in this period that show a high level of craftsmanship. In the Song dynasty, as the paper-making industry flourished, more varieties of paper were invented, and paper cutting became a very popular pastime for many Chinese. They became so popular, even patterns for porcelain were designed based on paper cutouts. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, this art reached its peak.
There are three main regional styles of paper cutting in China: the southern style, the Jiangzhe style, and the northern style. Cities in these regions produce a variety of sub-styles that have distinctive local characteristics.
The Southern Style: The most well-known cutouts of the southern style are produced in Foshan, Wuhan, and Fujian.
Foshan - Foshan is a city in Guangdong province. Like other Guangdong art, Foshan's paper cutouts are famous for their lavish designs and strong colors. Both Chinese and overseas customers like the work produced here.
Wuhan - Wuhan's paper cutting incorporates elements of the local "Chu" culture. Many famous paper cutout artists in China are from this area. They have created items that have vivid pictures and demonstrate a deep cultural understanding.
Fujian - Animals are the main themes of the paper cutouts made in Fujian. A famous work called "Chicken-Feet Flower" shows a very interesting animal picture.
The Jiangzhe Style: Jiangzhe is the region in China that includes Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Paper cutouts made in these two provinces have their own regional characteristics.
Jiangsu - Jiangsu artists make paper cutouts with beautiful flower designs. The flowers depicted are delicate, lifelike, and give a sense of romance.
Zhejiang - Cutouts produced in this province are famous for their elegant, exquisite craftsmanship. Here, themes mainly focus on things in nature and characters from "Yue" plays. They are used to decorate both windows and lanterns.
The Northern Style: There are three famous northern styles: the Shanxi style, Shaanxi style, and Shandong style.
Shanxi - People in the villages of Shanxi province traditionally live in small caves. One of the most important decorations in their cave-houses are paper cutouts. Their cutouts are simple in design and convey a sense of roughness, typical of the character of the people living in the north of China.
Shaanxi - The geographical location of Shaanxi province is isolated from the rest of China. For this reason, the paper cutouts produced here have preserved many of the oldest patterns from ancient Chinese culture. They are nicknamed "living fossils."
Shandong - Paper cutouts from Shandong are famous for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique appearance. Village women in this province like to use small pieces of various cutouts to decorate windows, so the complete work will have a unique look.
Shop for some exquisite paper cutouts when you are in Beijing. The city's amazing local shops have products that will blow your mind. You can find a personal shopper to help you find the right shops and assist you in dealing with the shop owners.
About the Author:
A. Lao has written about Chinese arts and crafts for years. He assists a Personal Shopper in Beijing who brings visitors to great Chinese shops. From time to time, he personally tailors personal shopping trips.
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