Paper cut door decoration

Jiangsu
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Paper-cut door decorations are also called "Bancheng paper-cutting". This traditional art was born in Bancheng Town, Sihong County, Suqian City and the folks in the Hongze Lake area. It is mainly distributed in the fishing villages, fishing boats and fishing grounds of the town. It is popular in Linhuai Town of this county and Laozishan Town of Hongze County. Bancheng paper-cutting originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. First, Bancheng has been prosperous and wealthy since ancient times. Fishermen and common people have to paste red paper-cut door decorations on every festival, wedding and birthday, which has become a custom. Second, fishermen in Bancheng have the custom of dancing Hongze Lake fishing drum dance and singing Duangu tune. When holding sacrifices, inviting river gods, continuing family genealogy, starting fishing and lantern festivals, they must hang paintings and paper-cut patterns, which has greatly promoted the development of Bancheng paper-cutting. The paper-cut door decorations in Bancheng mainly focus on the symbols, paintings and images of gods hung during lantern festivals, as well as shoe decorations and lantern decorations. With the change of the times, they have turned to festive patterns, which are posted on the bows, doors and windows during festivals, weddings and birthdays to increase the festive atmosphere. In terms of content, the words are also commonly engraved in Bancheng paper-cuts, such as "smooth sailing", "magpies on plum blossoms", "five blessings coming to the door", etc. Sometimes, on the basis of tradition, the techniques of printmaking and decorative painting are also integrated to make the colors of the works brighter. The basic characteristics of Bancheng paper-cuts are: first, the hollowing is deep; second, the structure is varied and the style is thick and simple; third, the festive paper-cut works are mostly made of bright red monochrome paper, and the red, yellow, green and other colored paper works are mostly used for sacrifices, inviting gods, lantern festivals, etc. Since ancient times, Bancheng paper-cuts have been mostly used for posting during the New Year and festive occasions, implying good wishes for great wealth, successive promotions, and smooth sailing. Its inheritance truly reflects the thoughts, emotions, and aesthetic orientation of the majority of fishermen. As an excellent culture of the Chinese nation, it has high artistic value and is deeply loved by people.

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