User:Sunnie1015/sandbox

Origin
Paper-cutting originated from ancient activities of worshipping ancestors and gods, and is a traditional Chinese culture. According to the present archaeological records, it originated from 6th century, however people believed that its history could be traced as early as the Warring States Period (around 3 BC), long before the paper was invented. At that time, people used thin materials, like leaves, silver foil, silk and even leather, to carve hollowed patterns for beauty. Later, when paper was invented, people realized that this material was easy to cut, store and discard. Thus paper became the major material for them to use, and people habitually called this artistry paper-cutting, or Jianzhi in Chinese. During Ming and Qing Dynasty (around 1368 – 1912), this artistry witnessed its most prosperous period

Classification
Paper-cutting is one of the oldest and the most popular folk arts in China, and can be geographically divided into southern and northern style. The southern style, represented by works from Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province and Leqing in Zhejiang Province, featured ingenious and beautiful design, exquisite carve and interesting shape. However, northern style, mainly from Yuxian and Fengning in Hebei Province and best represented by works from northern Shaanxi, featured overstatement, vigorousness, vivid depiction and diversity.