This is a photo of a paper cutting that hangs in Nancy's parents' dining room. They traveled to China more than once, but this cutting was a gift for their 50th anniversary from their friend, Pei Ying, who was a guide on one of the trips. Paper cutting was invented during the Han Dynasty(207 B.C. - 22 A.D.) In Chinese, the cutouts are called "window flowers". No matter how complicated, every design must be cut out as an unbroken, continuous peice and requires extensive patience and creativity. In this one, there is a Dragon and a Phoenix, as well as chrysanthemums. The Dragon and the Phoenix often serve as metaphors for matrimonial harmony, and the 'mums' are a symbol for long life. Enjoy!
3 comments:
The paper cutting is beautiful. I can't wait until you arrive home with your little Laina. The aticipation is killing me!!! LOL Judy
Wow, I can't believe it. I didn't know that it would be a very memorable gift when I found them in a corner of the counter in the shop which was very big shop to me 16 years ago when I was still a college student :)
I will do some research to anwer Jennifer's question later today.
Wish you all the best and "talk" to you later.
I have done some research on paper cutting. But I could hardly find an answer for this question because it depends on how complicate the paper cutting is. Simple ones may take a few minutes but long and complicate ones takes half a year (like a book). I guess this one might take half day for a skilled person.
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