paper-cut.doc

Chinese[edit] Main article:?Chinese paper cutting Jianzhi?(剪紙), is a traditional style of papercutting in?China. Jianzhi has been practiced in China since at least the 6th century A.D. Jianzhi has a number of distinct uses in Chinese culture, almost all of which are for health, prosperity or decorative purposes. Red is the most commonly used color. Jianzhi cuttings often have a heavy emphasis on?Chinese characters?symbolizing the?Chinese zodiac?animals. Although paper cutting is popular around the globe, only the Chinese paper cut was listed in the?UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, which was in 2009.[3]?The Chinese paper-cutting was recognized and listed because it has a history of more than 1500 years and it represents cultural values of the people throughout China. Modern paper cutting has developed into a commercial industry. Papercutting remains popular in contemporary China, especially during special events like the?Chinese New Year?or weddings.[4] Chinese Paper Cutting?or?Jianzhi?(剪纸) is the first type of?papercuttingdesign, since?paper?was invented by?Cai Lun?in the?Eastern Han Dynasty?inChina. The art form later spread to other parts of the world with different regions adopting their own cultural styles. Because the cut outs are also used to decorate doors and windows, they are sometimes referred to chuāng huā (窗花), meaning Window Flower. Process[edit] There are two methods of manufacture: one uses scissors, the other uses knives. In the scissor method, several pieces of paper?— up to eight?— are fastened together. The motif is then cut with sharp, pointed scissors. Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of?tallow?and ashes. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife which is usually held vertically. Skilled crafters can even cut out different drawings freely without stopping. Uses[edit] Today, papercuttings are chiefly decorati