There was a poet in the Tang dynasty that wrote when you cut out symbols for spring you cut away the cold of the early spring. From this line we see that paper cutting was a popular folk art in the Tang dynasty. Especially for girls about to be married in addition to their diligent needlework girls needed to be skilled in paper cutting. Usually at home with their aunts sisters-in-law and neighbors young girls would discuss their paper cutting experiences and skill. It was also a good chance to catch up on local news etc. 

If a girl knew girl knew that a certain family had an unusual design she would ask one of her uncles to go to that house and barrow the design and have one of her brothers paint the design for her. On the wedding day all of the dowry no matter if it was trunks boxes basket tables and chairs jewelry clothing or other such presents would be covered with auspicious paper cut designs. Carefully executed each design would incorporate a cleaver meaning with its detailed craftsmanship making it a really joyous occasion. In the song dynasty paper cutting became more and more wide spread and this dynasty produced quite a few experts of this art. No matter if it was scenery figures flower birds fish insects characters from drama or even Buddhist gods all could be used to make works of art. 

When paper cutting was passed on through the Ming and Ching dynasties, in keeping with its vigorous development of the past it became a hobby with palace girl's ladies with rant and court ladies. Paper cutting was originally a folk art of farming families that was suitable for all ages. 

In recent years when people heard about paper cutting they thought it must be a very difficult craft and were reluctant to try it. In today's industrial world we reap satisfaction from clothing food shelter and our work. 

However we always seem to be out of spirits. Of course our spirits are affected to all of the above demands and paper cutting can only partially help yet it does not take much effort to paper cut and this art had unlimited possibilities and an inexhaustible range of subject matter. When a design is completed it not only gives you personal enjoyment but it can also express your feeling towards others. On one hand it influences our character and temperament and on the other it can increase feeling toward people. It really is an art with many rewards.