Illustrating Easter with a look at Chinese cut paper

Imagine walking through a doorway to the sight of an elaborate red paper cutout. In traditional Chinese culture it was common to place these papers over doorways and in windows where the contrast of sunlight would have a dramatic effect. These were handmade decorations that performed as beautification for the modest home. They also served as an aid to home schooling; used as a teaching aid for the young.

Mothers would instill important messages of character and morality with these cut papers. The idea is strong in symbolism; embedded in these artistic embellishments are familiar images to most Chinese. In a culture that mixes folklore and symbolism; paper cut into fanciful designs became the perfect medium to tell a story. Children grew up recognizing that flowers, fruit and animals had symbolic meaning in addition to their common status.

In addition to that there were mythical characters and beasts woven into folk tales that had a moral to be learned. In spite of Chairman Mau’s cultural revolution this culture survives and now the art of paper cutting, both in the old tradition and innovative new ways, lives on.

The Chinese have many visual symbols for birth, believing that the calendar has a strong influence on a person’s future.

As Easter approaches why not take a try at using this age-old paper-cutting technique for crafting a hand made card or gift-wrap. I think that it would be nice to blend the Chinese style of paper cutting with images that are familiar to Western culture. We too rely on symbols for our holiday traditions, and these can be easily applied to Easter decorations.

Western/Easter symbols
Easter - from Eastre, the Saxon Goddess of Spring
White lily - Purity, Virgin Mary
Lamb - symbol of sacrifice, symbol of Jewish Passover (escape from Egypt)
Candles - Jesus
Rabbits and eggs - pagan symbols of birth
Carnivals - time of gaiety before the fast of Lent
Colors - white, purple, green, red

You can find out more about this:
http://www.annieshomepage.com/symbols.html

Working with cut paper also has a place in Western culture, with, of course, a much shorter history. Before there was photography there was the popular practice of cutting paper silhouettes of loved ones to be framed or carried in a locket with a clip of hair.

Of course not all these very popular oval frames contained cut paper likenesses but it was one of the techniques employed by the talented to record the memory of someone dear. As art became freer and more diverse artists began to explore new ways of expression, like the technique of collage, where layers of paper and ephemera were add to the composition to make a modern look.

The idea of making a collage is a good fit in today’s culture. It’s relatively fast, it’s expression, it’s the opportunity to say something in your own unique way. So I hope you will use my invitation to explore this creative avenue the next time you feel the need to express yourself, or have want to make a creative gift-wrap or personalized gift card for someone special. There are many possibilities for you discover that go beyond the usual ribbon and bow.