Paper Cutting

Chinese Paper Cutting or Jianzhi is the first type of paper cutting design, since paper was invented by Cai Lun in Eastern Han Dynasty(25-220) in China. The art form later spread to other parts of the world with different regions adopting their own cultural styles. Because the cut outs are also used to decorate doors and windows, they aresometimes referred to "Chung hua"( 窗花), meaning Window Flower.
Most of the people with access to paper for an entertainment cause such as art were usually nobles in royal palaces. The Song Dynasty scholar Chou Mi mentioned several paper cutters who cut paper with scissors into a great variety of designs and characters in different styles, and a young man who could even cut characters and flowers inside his sleeve. The oldest surviving paper cut out is a symmetrical circle from the 6th century found in Xinjiang, China.
From the 7th to 13th century, paper cutting became popular especially during Chinese holiday festivals. The art spread to the rest of the world in the 14th century. Throughout Qing Dynasty many paper cutting skills were developed, including drafting and the use of smoked papers. By the end of the Qing ruling, however, new art forms were being introduced. The Republic of China later tried to revive the art in the 1980s.
In the rural countryside in mainland China, paper cutting is traditionally a female activity. In the past, every girl was expected to master it and brides were often judged by their skill.
Professional paper cutting artists are, on the other hand, usually male and have guaranteed incomes and work together in workshops.