Paper Cutting—Cut Whatever You Can Imagine

◎江苏省如皋中学 陈可可 指导老师：陈 娟

Paper cutting is one of China’s most popular traditional arts,which has a history of more than 1,500 years.It was particularly widespread during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

In the past,people often beautify（美化）their homes with paper cutting.During the Spring Festival and wedding celebrations（婚礼庆典）,in particular,paper cutting are used to decorate（装饰）doors,windows and rooms,which adds to the joyous atmosphere.

The color frequently used in paper cutting is red,which symbolizes health and prosperity (繁荣).Chinese paper cutting is very popular around the world and it is often given as a present to foreign friends.The main cutting tools are paper and a pair of scissors.Seemingly easy,it is difficult to master paper cutting with perfection.

My love for paper cutting comes from my grandmother.A pair of ordinary scissors and a piece of colored paper are turned around in her hands,and you can have whatever you want.What amazes me most is that she can’t read or write,but she is capable of cutting out characters like Fu and Xi.

On hot summers,I was too energetic to have an afternoon nap and I would beg my grandmother to teach me paper cutting.How to fold paper,where to cut,step by step,I followed her and eventually a“Xi”was created.It looked ugly but grandma always said,“Honey,well done.More practice and you will do better.”

As time goes by,I have to focus on my study and I seldom sit by her to do paper cutting.However,every birthday I receive a special gift from my grandma — a paper cutting.She often says in a proud way,“I will cut whatever my granddaughter can imagine.”