Artistic Paper

　Realize Artistic Paper Cutting　认识剪纸艺术
     1　剪纸的简介
     The folk art of paper cutting in China is a national quintessence just as the traditional paintings, calligraphy and Peking Opera. It is also a precious non-material cultural heritage the Chinese ancestors have left to the people of the world. Paper cutting can be seen in many parts of China during the Spring Festival. People paste patterns on windows, door lintels or desks for festival atmosphere.
     It's difficult to tell when it originated. One saying is that it originated from some religious ceremony of offering sacrifices. Ancient people cut papers into the shapes of animals or people, then they either buried them with the dead or burned them on the funerals, wishing those things that paper stand for could be with the dead. A thousand years ago, paper cutting was used for decoration. According to historic books, women in Tang Dynasty used paper cutting as headdress. In Song Dynasty, it was the decoration of gifts. People use them as decorations on walls, mirrors or lanterns. Some people made a living by it.
     To the author, the folk paper cutting work is not just a folk art form or a "handicraft", but a means that expresses the inner self of the author through the art of paper cutting. To master this, it requires skillful application of the laws that govern the matching of scissors and paper through years of practice by author. It also requires an in-depth accumulation of his or her observation of various objects in nature and a thorough understanding of life.
     As a main form of folk arts, Chinese paper cutting has a long history. But nowadays under the impact of commodity economy and modern ideas, great changes have taken place in cultural psychology and standards of beauty appreciation, and all folk arts, including paper cutting, are facing serious challenges.
     2　剪纸的做法及种类
     （1）剪纸的做法
     Paper cutting is all made by hand. It is easy to learn the rudiments. Non-craftsmen need only a knife and paper. For craftsmen, 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 use various kinds of knives to make it. No mistake can be made during the process otherwise the work would fail.
     Yinke　　　　 阴刻
     Yangke　　　　阳刻
     Yinyangke　　 阴阳刻
     （2）剪纸的种类
     Paper cutting covers nearly all topics, such as flowers, birds, animals, legendary people, figures in classic novels, types of facial make-up in Peking opera. Paper cutting has various styles in different parts of China.
     Decoration　　　　　　　　装饰类
     Chirotype　　　　　　　　　稿模类
     Custom and superstition 　 俗信类
     Design　　　　　　　　　　 设计类
     传统民间剪纸艺术在自己的产生发展过程中形成了自身一些固定的表达方式，利用剪纸艺术的特点使现代设计能够建立在传统文化的脉络上。将中国民间传统的剪纸艺术与不同的设计领域结合就如同给中国传统剪纸艺术注入一股新鲜的血液，从而在国际设计舞台中演绎出独一无二的色彩。

     Wangcheng Cathay paper-cutting museum in Hunan province is the first folk paper-cutting museum with rich and unique collection of works.
     湖南望城华夏剪纸博物馆是全国第一家民间剪纸博物馆，馆藏丰富独特。
     Up to now, paper-cuts are popular in countryside throughout China.
     直到现今，在乡下还能见到红红火火的剪纸景观。
     The rustic and exuberant Yingge dance, the melodic Ditao music and the exquisite paper-cutting are billed as three treasures of Chaoyang folk arts.
     粗犷奔放的英歌舞，清扬悦耳的笛套音乐，精细至极的剪纸，被誉为"潮阳民间艺术三宝"。
     Paper-cutting is inexpensive and makes excellent gift for family and friends.
     剪纸物美价廉，是馈赠亲友的上佳礼品。
     Paper-cutting will not be excellent without superb skills.
     剪纸需要高超的技术。
     Paper-cutting has various styles in different parts of China.
     剪纸在中国各地都有不同的流派风格。
     At present, there are professional paper cutting factories in China.
     现在在中国，已经有专业化的剪纸工厂。
     At present, the earliest paper cutting we can see has a history of more than 1,500 years.
     目前我们所能见到的最早的剪纸，已有一千五百年以上的历史。
     Paper cutting is not only a traditional art form, but a culture.
     剪纸在中国已不仅是一门传统艺术，更是一种文化。
     The aesthetics of folk paper cutting is demonstrated in embodying the original spirit of the art and in enlightening the active thinking.
     在人文科学史上，民间剪纸艺术体现艺术本原精神之美和开启心智活跃思维之美。
     Now fewer and fewer people can grasp the skill.
     现在越来越少的人能掌握这门技术了。
     Paper cutting can develop our patience.
     剪纸可以培养我们的耐心。
     Red paper is generally used to express joy in paper cutting.
     剪纸一般都是用红色的纸，表示喜庆。
     Once you can master paper-cut, there will be a lot of fun.
     学会剪纸，会有很多的乐趣。
     In ancient times, women usually express their ability through paper-cut.
     古代的女人通常都是通过剪纸来表现个人的能力。
     Our country has advocated to protecting ancient folk arts, such as Peking Opera, paper cutting and Kungfu.
     国家现在一直在提倡保护古代的民间艺术，例如京剧、剪纸、中国功夫。
     Paper-cut is commonly used in religious ceremonies, decorations and so on.
     剪纸常用于宗教仪式和装饰等方面。
     Paper cuttings, as well as the New Year pictures, are come into being because of the psychological needs of exorcism and praying for happiness.
     剪纸和年画一样，最早因民众驱邪纳福的心理需要而产生。
     One of the hometowns of Chinese paper cuttings is Fujian Zhangpu.
     福建漳浦是中国剪纸之乡之一。
     Animals, especially Chinese zodiac, are the most common themes in paper cuttings.
     十二生肖动物是剪纸的主题。
     The main tool is cutting scissor.
     剪纸最主要的工具就是剪刀。
     Women usually do paper cutting at home while men would do it only when he is free in ancient time.
     古代一般都是妇女在家做剪纸，男人只有在闲暇时才一起剪纸。