Paper cut (Huixian paper cut)

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

Applicant: Huixian 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: Huixian City, Henan Province

Protection unit: Huixian Cultural Center

Introduction to paper cutting (Huixian paper cutting)

Applicant: Huixian City, Henan Province

The paper-cut art spread in Huixian city of Henan Province originated in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty, mainly distributed in more than 50 villages in shayao Township and BEIBI town of Huixian city. Paper cutting is one of the most popular folk art forms in Huixian county. Because of its simple tools and materials, people have to put up paper cutting to decorate their living environment and set off a happy and peaceful atmosphere every Spring Festival or festive event.

Huixian paper-cut originated in the farming society, and its subject matter content reflects the characteristics of farmers' life and rural society, and exudes a strong local flavor. It is characterized by a simple and full composition, vivid modeling, fine and smooth knife technique, and strong color contrast. Huixian paper-cut has a wide range of themes and varieties, often with characters, animals, flowers and insects as the performance content, through these images to express the meaning of dispelling evil and praying for happiness.

With the change of social environment, people's quality of life continues to improve, and contemporary culture also presents a diversified development trend. In this situation, Huixian paper-cut development is hindered, declining, paper-cut can no longer be used as the only way to make a living as in the past. At present, there are fewer and fewer old paper-cut artists in Huixian County, and their successors are in short supply. This ancient folk art style is facing the severe situation of death, and it is urgent to rescue.