Paper-cuttings welcome New Year

Wang Shaotang

Famous print artist Wang Shaotang has created a new paper-cutting work, Jiqingyouyu, to welcome the year of the rooster. The art of paper-cutting in China may date back to the second century AD, since paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty(25-220 AD) in China. As paper became more affordable, paper-cutting became one of the most important of Chinese folk arts. Later, the art form spread to other parts of the world, with different regions adopting their own cultural styles.

Because the cut-outs are often used to decorate doors and windows, they are sometimes referred to as chuang hua, window flowers or window paper-cuts. People glue the paper cuts to the exterior of windows, so the light from the inside can shine through the negative space of the cutout. Usually, the artworks are made of red paper, as red is associated with festivities and happiness in Chinese culture, but other colors are also used. They often appear at Spring Festival, weddings and childbirth, and always symbolize luck and happiness.