A piece of red paper, a pair of scissors, people’s yearning for a better life and expectations for good luck and happiness are unfolded here. This is Paper-cut For Window Decoration. Paper-cut For Window Decoration is paper-cut affixed to window paper or window glass. As a traditional Chinese folk art form, it carries profound culture and meaning. So what is the history and origin of Paper-cut For Window Decoration? What are the types of Paper-cut For Window Decoration? I believe many friends would like to know about it. The following article will give you a detailed understanding of Paper-cut For Window Decoration.
What is Paper-cut For Window Decoration?
What is Paper-cut For Window Decoration?
Paper-cut For Window Decoration is a paper-cut artwork pasted on window paper or window glass. It is one of the ancient Han traditional folk arts in China. Paper-cut For Window Decoration is a characteristic art of farming culture. The geographical environment of rural life, agricultural production characteristics and social customs also give this local art distinctive Han folk customs and artistic characteristics. Paper-cut For Window Decoration has a long history. It gradually became popular from the Song Dynasty and reached the pinnacle of art in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Nowadays, Paper-cut For Window Decoration is more common in the north, while in the south it is usually only applied when getting married.
Is Paper-cut For Window Decoration an intangible cultural heritage?
Generally speaking, Paper-cut For Window Decoration is considered a type of paper-cutting, and paper-cutting is an intangible cultural inheritance. Take Guangling paper-cutting as an example. As one of the three major schools of traditional Chinese folk paper-cutting, Guangling paper-cutting is known as “a masterpiece of Chinese folk art.” In 2009, Guangling paper-cutting was included in the “Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage” by UNESCO as part of the application project for Chinese paper-cutting.
Who invented Paper-cut For Window Decoration?
The specific inventor of Paper-cut For Window Decoration cannot be accurately verified. Generally, there are two theories:
Historical statement: Some people believe that before the Western Han Dynasty, when papermaking had not yet been invented, people had cut and decorated thin sheets of different materials, such as metal or wood, to form handicrafts with hollowing out and carving techniques. As time went by, when paper appeared, people began to use this lighter and lower-cost material to make Paper-cut For Window Decoration, and in the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the practice of posting Paper-cut For Window Decoration during the Spring Festival was formed. custom.
Myth and legend theory: Another theory comes from a mythical story, which tells that when Emperor Yao was in power in ancient times, the lack of protection from a mysterious creature led to local chaos. Later, a divine bird named “Chongming” appeared and quelled the disaster, so people created Paper-cut For Window Decoration based on it to commemorate this divine bird.
The meaning of Paper-cut For Window Decoration
Holiday Celebration
In China, paper-cut For Window Decoration is a way to celebrate the festival. Especially during the Spring Festival, affixing Paper-cut For Window Decoration can add to the festive atmosphere and make people feel the joy and warmth of the festival. In addition, on the big day of the wedding, Paper-cut For Window Decoration will also be affixed with the word “happy”.
Pray for good luck
In traditional Chinese culture, Paper-cut For Window Decoration has the meaning of praying for good luck. Traditional Paper-cut For Window Decoration patterns are mostly auspicious patterns, such as fish, longevity, blessing, etc., which imply happiness, reunion, peace, etc. Pasting these Paper-cut For Window Decoration means wishing your family a happy life, a happy life, and everything goes well.
Decorate your home
Posting Paper-cut For Window Decoration is not only to celebrate festivals and pray for good luck, but also to beautify the room and add interest to life. Applying Paper-cut For Window Decoration can make the entire room more beautiful, refined and full of life.
Inherit folk culture
Paper-cut For Window Decoration is an important part of traditional Chinese folk culture. Paper-cut For Window Decoration can inherit and promote traditional Chinese culture, allowing people to better understand and love Chinese culture.
Types of Paper-cut For Window Decoration
Window over
Windows are generally larger in size and often span the pane, dividing the picture into several blocks. This is intended to fit within the space of the pane, to form a complete animal image or to dramatize a story. Paper-cut For Window Decoration, which is cut into several vertical strips or divided into two or four pieces, is called “Window Decoration” among the people in Shandong and Shaanxi.
Window breeze
Window breeze is a form of Paper-cut For Window Decoration that is attached to the ventilation area of the window. The pattern is usually cut on the upper half, usually some flowers, plants and geometric patterns. The lower part is cut into a tassel shape, which will flutter in the wind. Folks call it Its “window breeze” is also called “window skirt” in Shandong and other places, which has a unique style.
Tuanhua
Tuanhua is a round shape, mostly used as window paintings and wall paintings. It usually needs to be folded and cut. The number of folds varies from two, three or four times, showing the same pattern on all four sides. This form of Paper-cut For Window Decoration is the most common among the people.
Hornflower
Corner flowers are mostly triangular with 90° right angles on both sides. Most of the content is auspicious patterns. They are usually posted at the corner of the window. Sometimes they are also posted in conjunction with group flowers.
Transfer flowers
Zhuanhua is a form of Paper-cut For Window Decoration in northern Shaanxi. It is posted on the windows of cave dwellings in northern Shaanxi. It is usually a larger circular pattern with some small Paper-cut For Window Decoration posted around it.
Smoke grid
Stoves are often lit in the winter in the north. In order to maintain the indoor temperature, people usually close the doors and windows tightly, so they make a dustpan-shaped vent in the window corner or “air door”. This vent is unsightly, so people adapt to its shape. , paste a square paper cut on it and name it “Smoke Grid”. The patterns are mostly symmetrical, or cut into geometric shapes or animal and plant patterns.
How to cut Paper-cut For Window Decoration?
How to cut easily
Take a piece of red square rice paper, fold it in half along the diagonal, and then unfold it to reveal four triangular faces.
Fold two of the faces inward along the center point and flatten them to obtain four overlapping triangular structures.
Divide the front into five equal parts, fold them together clockwise, and draw a pattern as shown in the picture with a pencil.
First use scissors to cut out the entire outside of the drawn shape.
Use a cutter to hollow out the scored portion of the cut structure.
Unfold the origami paper to get a red snowflake-like Paper-cut For Window Decoration.
How to cut out the word “福”
Prepare square red rice paper and scissors. First fold the square colored paper into two center lines. According to one of the center lines, divide the upper half of the two corresponding sides into 2 equal parts and the lower half into 3 equal parts.
In the second step, unfold it after folding it, then turn the direction and fold the other two sides in half towards the center line to form four equal parts.
Fold the quarters in half twice and fold the thirds once.
Cut a triangle in the upper left corner and unfold it.
Fold the right side one square to the left, and then fold the bottom half up and down one square each.
Cut a triangle at the crease where the bottom meets the right side, then unfold the bottom one square.
Cut a semicircle at the crease of the second and third squares on the right, and then cut a small scimitar-like pattern at the bottom.
Unfold the paper. The right half of the word “福” has been cut. Fold the left half to the right.
Cut a rectangle on the left side from bottom to top, and then cut a triangle on the lower right corner of the rectangle.
After everything is cut, unfold the paper to get a blessing character.
How to cut out the word “囍”
Take a piece of red rice paper, flatten it, and fold it in half along the center line.
Fold the folded big red paper in half according to the center line. At this time, the big red paper becomes a slender rectangular shape that is folded in four.
Use a pencil to outline the character “囍” on a thin rectangular piece of red paper. If you are unable to accurately draw the style of the ordinary “囍” character, you can find a finished product in advance and fold it four times, then press it on red paper and copy its outline.
Follow the outlined outline and cut off all the excess parts on the red paper.
Unfold the red paper, and the shape of an ordinary 囍 character is completed.
How to paste Paper-cut For Window Decoration
When will Paper-cut For Window Decoration be posted
In most cases, people start to post Paper-cut For Window Decoration two days before the Lunar New Year. That is, it is more common to post Paper-cut For Window Decoration on the 28th or 29th of the twelfth lunar month. This is done to ensure that the home is filled with a festive atmosphere while also keeping in line with traditional customs. In some areas, Paper-cut For Window Decoration is posted during the day on New Year’s Eve, because most families are posting couplets during this time, so it can be completed together. In addition, there is also a saying that the Paper-cut For Window Decoration is posted the night before New Year’s Eve, and then added in the morning to mean “adding blessings”.
Paper-cut For Window Decoration should be pasted inside or outside
Paper-cut For Window Decoration is usually affixed to the indoor window glass side, with the Paper-cut For Window Decoration pattern facing outside so that people passing by can see it. In addition, attaching it to the side of the indoor window can prevent it from being eroded by outdoor rain, snow, etc. However, many Paper-cut For Window Decoration products sold on the market now have almost the same front and back sides, so no matter which side is facing the outside, it will work. Paper-cut For Window Decoration can also be stuck on the door. It should be stuck in the center for a better look.
Steps to paste Paper-cut For Window Decoration
Clean the windows: Before applying Paper-cut For Window Decoration, first clean the paint, dust and other debris around the windows. Otherwise, the Paper-cut For Window Decoration will be easily contaminated and wrinkled or warped after being applied, which will affect the aesthetics of the Paper-cut For Window Decoration.
Prepare tools: You need to prepare the tools and materials required for Paper-cut For Window Decoration, such as Paper-cut For Window Decoration, adhesive, etc.
Use adhesive: Apply solid glue evenly on the back of Paper-cut For Window Decoration. This will ensure that Paper-cut For Window Decoration is more firmly adhered and easier to remove in the future.
Paste: Gently paste the Paper-cut For Window Decoration in the middle of the window and keep it symmetrical to achieve a beautiful effect.
Leveling: During the process of applying Paper-cut For Window Decoration, slowly level the Paper-cut For Window Decoration with your hands to ensure that the air bubbles between the window and Paper-cut For Window Decoration are squeezed out smoothly.
What kind of sticker should I use to apply Paper-cut For Window Decoration
Glue: You can clean the window and then apply glue on the back of Paper-cut For Window Decoration. Before it dries, quickly stick it on the window glass. The advantage of using glue to paste Paper-cut For Window Decoration is that it is stronger, but it will leave offset marks later, which will be more troublesome to clean.
Glue: In the early days, many people used glue when applying Paper-cut For Window Decoration. Its stickiness is also very good. When cooking, add more water and boil some rice soup, then apply it directly on the glass, and then stick Paper-cut For Window Decoration on the glass. One disadvantage of this method is that it looks a bit dirty and is difficult to clean.
Solid glue: Using solid glue is also a good choice, and it is also a method commonly used nowadays, because solid glue is more convenient to stick. Stick the solid glue behind the Paper-cut For Window Decoration, stick it in the right position and press it firmly. However, this method is also more troublesome to remove the offset later.
Others: Nowadays, there is also a kind of electrostatic sticker Paper-cut For Window Decoration. The electrostatic sticker Paper-cut For Window Decoration uses the principle of electrostatic to stick on the window. The electrostatic sticker Paper-cut For Window Decoration does not require the use of adhesive. On windows, it is more convenient and is usually made of plastic.
How to straighten the wrinkled Paper-cut For Window Decoration
If the Paper-cut For Window Decoration is wrinkled, you can smooth out the wrinkles with your hands, then fill a flat-bottomed glass bottle with boiling water and iron the Paper-cut For Window Decoration for a while to remove the wrinkles. In addition, the reason why the Paper-cut For Window Decoration is wrinkled is usually because there are foreign objects or dust inside. The editor of mai_goo recommends removing the Paper-cut For Window Decoration, wiping the glass clean and then reposting it. This method is more effective.
How to remove Paper-cut For Window Decoration
How to clean
Vinegar + water: Use a small card or ruler to gently scrape the Paper-cut For Window Decoration on the window and slowly remove it. Then mix half vinegar and half water, put it into a spray bottle, spray it evenly on the stained glass, and then wipe the window with an old newspaper ball.
Fengyoujing: Apply an appropriate amount of Fengyoujing on the old Paper-cut For Window Decoration. After it penetrates for a while, wipe it hard with a dry cloth. The Paper-cut For Window Decoration will fall off and the traces of adhesive can also be removed.
Hair dryer: First turn the hair dryer to low temperature, and then blow the Paper-cut For Window Decoration at a distance of about 20cm. The principle is to use a hair dryer to soften the adhesive. After the adhesive is softened, wipe it off quickly.
Hot towel: This method is only suitable for Paper-cut For Window Decoration that has not been stuck for a long time. Use a hot towel to apply it before erasing it. After the sticker is soaked, you can slowly peel it off, and then use hot towel to remove it. Use a towel to soften the glue and wipe it away.
What to do if there is a red mark
Use cleansing oil: Apply an appropriate amount of cleansing oil to the Paper-cut For Window Decoration stamp, and then rub it gently to dissolve the remaining color. After that, just wipe it clean with a clean towel.
To use alcohol: Dip a paper towel, cotton ball, or washcloth in alcohol and apply it to the glass. It is recommended to wipe with a wet towel afterwards to protect the glass from damage.
Use baking soda and cooking oil: Mix equal amounts of baking soda and cooking oil to make a paste, apply it on the offset printing surface, and then wipe it gently with old newspapers, etc. to remove Paper-cut For Window Decoration marks.