To celebrate the Year of the Ox, we’re going to explore the art of papercutting.
Today is Lunar New Year! To celebrate the Year of the Ox, we’re going to explore the art of papercutting.
Papercutting as an art form has been practiced in China since the second century. Paper-cuts symbolize luck and happiness and are often red in colour which is the colour associated with festivals and happiness.
The oldest surviving paper cut out is a symmetrical circle from the 6th century Six Dynasties period found in Xinjiang China.
For this activity, gather some paper, a pencil and scissors and give this beautiful technique a try.
- Begin with a square sheet of paper
- Fold the square in half on the diagonal to make a triangle
- Fold the paper in half again to make a smaller triangle
- Fold the outside edges to the centre
- Draw a design using simple shapes and lines
- Cut along your pencil lines
- Unfold the paper for the big reveal!
Process photos by K.Strobl
Resources: Wikipedia