What is the meaning and symbol of paper cutting?

Symbolic meaning:

Folk paper-cutting is good at combining all kinds of objects and images to produce ideal and beautiful effects. No matter whether one or more image combinations are used, they are modeled by "image implication" and "meaning conformation", rather than by objective natural forms. At the same time, they are also good at using metaphor and combining conventional images to create various mascots to express their psychology.

Pursuing auspicious metaphor has become one of the ultimate goals of image combination. The geographical closure and cultural limitations, as well as the intrusion of adversity such as natural disasters, aroused people's desire for a happy life. People pray for ample food and clothing, prosperity, health and longevity, and all the best. This simple wish is conveyed through paper-cutting.

Extended data

The development of history

Tang Xian

Paper was invented in the Western Han Dynasty (6th century BC). Before that, there could be no paper-cutting art. But at that time, people used very thin materials to make handicrafts by hollowing out and carving, but it was popular long before paper appeared, that is, patterns were cut on gold foil, leather, silk and even leaves by carving, carving, picking, carving and cutting.

According to Records of the Historian Jiantong Di Feng, in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the leaves of the pole were cut into "poles" and given to his younger brother, who was named Tang Hou. Leather carving was used during the Warring States Period (one of the cultural relics unearthed from No.1 Chu Tomb in Wangshan, Jiangling, Hubei Province).

Carved silver foil (one of the cultural relics unearthed from the Warring States site in Guwei Village, Huixian County, Henan Province) was removed together with paper-cutting, and their appearance laid a certain foundation for the formation of folk paper-cutting.

In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there was a poem "Painting Yellow on the Mirror" in Mulan Ci. China's earliest paper-cut works are found in five paper-cuts of the Northern Dynasty (AD 386-58 1 year) unearthed near the Flame Mountain in Turpan, Xinjiang. These paper-cuts are folded repeatedly, and the images are not covered with each other.