What is the Chinese art of cutting decorative designs from paper, often for festivals and window decoration?
Answer
Chinese paper-cutting
The Chinese art of cutting decorative designs from paper, often for festivals and window decoration, is Chinese paper-cutting.
Artists fold or layer paper and cut it with scissors or a knife to create symmetrical motifs, animals, flowers, characters, and scenes. Red paper is especially common because red is associated with happiness, good fortune, celebration, and protection. Designs may be pasted on windows, doors, walls, or gifts during festivals and family occasions.
The craft developed alongside papermaking and became widespread in Chinese folk culture. Common motifs include the character fu, meaning good fortune, as well as fish, peonies, dragons, phoenixes, and the twelve zodiac animals. Paper-cutting is different from paper folding: its defining process is removing areas of paper to reveal an image.