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Window paper-cuts are paper-cuttings pasted on windows for decoration. In China they are usually referred to as “window flower”. In the past, window paper-cuts were pasted on windows during the Spring Festival in South and North China. Now in South China, window paper-cuts usually appear in wedding ceremonies instead. In North china, window paper-cuts are still popular during the Spring Festival. Window paper-cuts are used to foil atmosphere of the festival, so they are made of red papers which color represents happiness and festival in China. The style of window paper-cuts is usually free, except the flower pattern on the corner. The theme of window paper-cuts has a wide range, the most popular of which is based on the stories of traditional Chinese opera. As most buyers are farmers, the content of window paper-cut usually describe farming, spinning, fishing and poultry farming. == History == Window paper-cuts have a history more than 1,000 years, first appearing in the Han Dynasty. It became popular and formatted its style in the Song Dynasty. Window paper-cuts belong to paper-cutting. So when paper was first made in the Han Dynasty, paper-cutting appeared as a kind of Chinese folk art. Paper is a kind of material which mildews and rots easily. In the southeast of China, it usually rains in May and June, which makes paper mildew and rot quickly. As a result, people in southeast didn’t keep them, and it is hard to find paper-cutting from that time. On the contrast, the weather in the northwest of China is usually dry, which makes it possible to find paper-cutting made in the Northern Dynasties in Turpan, Sinkiang province. When paper-cutting passed down to the Tang Dynasty, the skills of handcraft became mature. Paper-cutting was not only a kind of handcraft, but also a piece of artwork, as it could express the idea through the pattern. In Ming and Qing Dynasty, paper-cutting experienced its peak development. Folk paper-cutting spread to a wider range and had abundant means of artistic expression. Paper-cutting was used to decorate doors, windows and walls to show happiness and festival. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Window paper-cuts」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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