Chinese Paper-Cut

The art of paper cutting in China, dating back to the sixth century AC, is one of the important folk art that patterns are cut or engraved in paper by burins or scissors. It is inscribed on the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2006 and on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Usually, the artworks are made of red paper, as red is associated with festivities and happiness in Chinese culture. But other colours were also used. Most paper cuts are single-colored with three engraving techniques applied on papers and used to combing different images together for the purpose of conveying connotations and denotations, rather than cutting the identical objects or gestures. But now, handicraftsman develops this folk art in various colors, patterns and techniques.