Chinese Paper Cutting is one of the famous crafts, which refer to handicrafts made by cutting paper with scissors to form different patterns and pasting them on walls, windows, doors, ceilings, or desks for the festival atmosphere. It  can be seen in many parts of China during the Spring Festival. 

As one of the oldest folk handcrafts, Chinese paper cutting has a long-standing history, which could be traced back to the 6th century. According to historical records, the earliest paper cutting was discovered in tombs of Northern and Southern Dynasties period (386-581) in the shape of animals and flowers.  

One saying is that it originated from the religious ceremony or offering sacrifices. The ancient people cut papers into animals or people. They either buried them with the dead or burned them on the funerals, wishing that things that paper stand for could be with the dead. 

A thousand years ago, paper cut was used for decoration. According to historic books, women in the Tang Dynasty  used paper cut as headdress. In the Song Dynasty, it was the decoration of the gifts. People pasted on windows or doors or used it as decorations on walls, mirrors or lanterns. Some people made a living by it.

Paper cutting is all made by hand. It is easy to learn the rudiments. Non-craftsmen need only a knife and paper. For craftsman, they need knives and gravers of various types to make complicated patterns. It can be one piece of paper or many pieces. Simple patterns can be cut with a knife. For complicated patterns, people first pasted the pattern on the paper and then used various kinds of knives to make it. No mistake can be made during the process otherwise the work would fail.

The initiation and spread of paper cutting has a close relationship with Chinese rural festivals. Chinese paper cuts are rich in content. The auspicious designs symbolize good luck and the avoidance of evil. The child, lot us and bottle gourd designs suggest a family with a large number of children and grand children. Domestic birds, livestock, fruit, fish and worms are also familiar objects depicted by Chinese. Paper cuts are simple and bold; paper cuts in Jiangsu are delicate and fine.

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