Paper cut (Lingbao paper cut)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: paper cut (Lingbao paper cut)

Applicant: Lingbao City, Henan Province

Project No.: 315

Project No.: Ⅶ - 16

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Henan Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Lingbao City, Henan Province

Protection unit: Lingbao Cultural Center

Introduction to paper cutting (Lingbao paper cutting)

Applicant: Lingbao City, Henan Province

Lingbao City, Henan Province, is located at the intersection of Henan, Qin and Jin provinces. Its long history and profound cultural heritage provide unique advantages for the breeding and development of folk paper-cut art in this area.

Lingbao paper-cut is divided into monochrome and dyeing. It is mainly made by cutting, but also by carving. In the long-term development process, Lingbao paper-cut naturally formed a rough, simple, frank, rich artistic characteristics. Window decoration is the most important form of Lingbao paper-cut. The theme is mainly flowers, birds, grass and insects, characters and so on. The style is simple and beautiful. Ceiling flower, corner flower, wall flower, Kang screen flower, double happiness word and lamp flower, pot flower, etc. are also common forms of Lingbao paper-cut. These works are often closely linked with folk marriage customs, and are mostly used to decorate the wedding room to convey the good wishes of happy marriage, many children and many blessings. In Lingbao, during the Lantern Festival, people use paper-cut to decorate lanterns. This kind of paper-cut is called "Lantern paper-cut". The lantern paper-cut used on the walking horse lantern is particularly typical. The top, bottom and main parts of the lantern are decorated with exquisitely carved paper-cut patterns, and the fire umbrella in the middle is also pasted with "Walking Horse son" paper-cut. The lantern is moving and has a unique aesthetic feeling. In addition, Lingbao paper-cut also includes paper-cut which focuses on temple fair sacrifice and funeral culture, and paper-cut which is closely related to folk customs and witchcraft activities. The former mainly focuses on architectural patterns, flowers and birds, and historical stories which publicize Confucian rites, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness, while the latter often contains the content of praying for strengthening the right and eliminating evil. The main works are "Sao Qing Niang", "Jinjian town five poisons" and "Jinjian town five poisons" Jinniu, etc.

Lingbao paper-cut is mostly created by rural women in their spare time. It is an indispensable artistic means for local people to express their thoughts, emotions and beautify their lives. Paper cutting contains rich local customs and folk art information, which has high research value.