In ancient China, women were generally good at needlework. They drew the figure of animals, flowers, scenery, etc as pattern for embroidery and weaving. Sometimes, they cut the patterns from paper and decorate their homes with the pappercutting. Pappercutting decorations were beautiful, cheap to make and easy to change, so they became more and more popular. Gradually, it became a custom that every Chinese family decorated their homes with papper cutting for celebrating Chinese New Year.
Although there are not concret requirements on papper color and theme for ordinary papper cutting, Chinese New Year pappercutting are traditionally made of red papper, and the themes are mainly blesssing and wish for good life. Normally they are auspicious figures, such as dragon, fish, rose, beautiful and lovely children, etc. These figures symbolize good luck, wealthy, rising, happiness, etc. Chinese zodiac animals, the symbols of years, are also popular patterns of Chinese New Year papercutting. Red color means happiness and good luck and prosperity.
Chinese New Year papercutting with auspicious text, fish and rose. The text means blessing and wealth. Fishes symbolize surplus and richness. Roses symbolize richness.
Chinese New Year papercutting with text which means "Happy Chinese New Year" and children which symbol "happiness and good luck"
Chinese New Year pappercutting with pattern of rose which symbolizes wealthy
Chinese New Year pappercutting with figure of the zodiac sign of monkey year
Chinese New Year pappercutting with figures of the God and Goddess of wealth
Chinese New Year pappercutting with text which means "Happy New Year" and the patterns of Chinese New Year cracks which symbolize "Getting rid of the old year and welcomming the new year"
Chinese New Year pappercutting with figures of ume flowers and lanterns. Ume flowers symbolize "Good luck". Round lanterns symbolize perfection, reunion and happiness.
Chinese New Year pappercutting with pattern of a happy family.
Chinese New Year pappercutting with figures of auspicious animals which symbolize good luck.
