Explore the Chinese folk art of paper cutting: Choose a design on the right or create your own design!

Paper cutting artworks are exquisite creations made using paper and scissors. Paper cutting art uses an abundant number of patterns, and each pattern has certain associated meanings. At every festival and for Chinese New Year, people place paper cutting artwork in their windows and hang them on doors to increase the festival atmosphere and to express wishes for happiness and good fortune.

Chinese paper cutting, known as Jianzhi, is one of the most popular folk arts in China. The paper was invented by a Chinese Court Official Cai Lun during the Han Dynasty in 105 A.D. The invention of paper led to the use of paper as a new media to create intricate images and patterns in China. The Chinese paper cuts appeared as early as during the Southern and Northern Dynasties 420-589 A.D. and later became a serious art form during the Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD.

Originally, people used paper cuts as sacrificial offerings to deities, ancestors, and deceased relatives. Later, people started to use them as decorative ornaments in their houses for doors, windows, walls, ceiling and lamps. Today, the subjects of paper cuts expanded to include, animals, Chinese opera figures, flora and fauna, gods and deities, landscapes, folklores and so on.