The Shaanxi province is well known for its remarkable paper cut art and has many styles and variations from town to town. The most prominent styles are classed as Shaanbei paper cut art and include the “three bian” villages and Ansai County. 

Also known as “window flowers”, paper cuttings have a deep rooted history in the cultured villages of Shaanxi. The folk art has been practiced within this province for many centuries. The tradition in most villages for festivals and ceremonies is to cover the windows with joyous paper cuttings which express wishes of good luck and a happy and wealthy life for all villagers.

Images and patterns of paper cuttings are all associated with auspiciousness and the town’s local culture. Birds and auspicious animals are dominant images included in many paper cuttings from Shaanxi.

Shaanbei paper cut art is one of the most famous styles of Shaanxi paper cuttings. The Shaanbei region includes Yulin and Yan’an municipals which have exceptionally gifted craftsmen who specialize in paper cutting. As remote villages, it has barely been touched by outside influence and still cherishes its ancient local culture and arts which have been handed down from generation to generation. Most Shaanbei paper cuttings are monochromatic and include finely detail patterns.

The famous “three bian” paper cutttings are another style of Shaanbei paper cut art. The bordering villages of Jingbain, Anbian and Dingbian all use techniques similar to paper cutting styles from the South of China. During the days of the dynasties, the court appointed many generals from Southern China to these areas where they introduced their stylistic techniques of paper cutting to the province.

Shaanbei paper cut art also includes Ansai County paper cutting which has been recognized within China and abroad as a valuable traditional folk art. Ansai is affectionately known as the County of Chinese Paper Cut Art”. Its magnificent paper cuts have been listed in the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritages. The paper cuttings feature primitive and simplistic designs and include flowers, birds, fruits and animals.

Shaanxi province continues to produce exquisite paper cut arts and includes many styles for tourists to choose from. Hopefully this folk art will continue to grow and capture the eye of future generations.