Carved Paper-Cutting Art

Carved paper-cutting is a gem of folk art in the Jingchu region, serving as a vital branch of traditional Chinese paper-cutting. Its history dates back to the Western Jin Dynasty, with the "carving" technique dominating during the Ming and Qing periods, evolving into distinct regional styles in Ezhou and Xiaogan.

In 2008, carved paper-cutting was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Extended Project List.

This art form employs exaggerated, symbolic, and homophonic allusions to integrate motifs like dragons, phoenixes, flowers, birds, and folktales into intricate designs. The process emphasizes both cutting and carving, involving steps such as design, material selection, carving, and mounting. Artisans use specialized wax boards and chisels, adhering to the principle of "inner details first, complex areas first," resulting in a unique "connected yet disjointed" texture.