Flowers and goldfishes. Fishes are always auspicious symbols for the chinese signifying abundance of everything.
A pair of lions or sometimes they are called 'Fu Dogs' and you see them in most entrance into Chinese restaurant, shops etc., acting as guardian.
A Chinese girl with traditional costume.
The Su Zhou garden.
The Chinese character 'FOOK' meaning wealth seen in almost every Chinese home during Chinese New year.
This my favourite, the Chinese character 'HEI' in Cantonese, meaning double happiness. Used widely in celebrations, especially for weddings.
Year 2008 - the year of the Rat in Chinese calendar.
I took this picture from one of our shopping mall in February during our Chinese New Year celebration. I have 2 nice paper cuttings but can't post them as they are on the way to someone somewhere, so can't spoil the fun ;D
Rewinding back to February 2008 this year, Rat sure is popular this year during Chinese New Year. I bought these from Ikea, 'Rat' shopping bags, a candle with the 'double happiness' word and our Rat napkin holders. You'll figure out now that Chinese have a strong liking for everything red during festivals, even the entire Ikea was in red then!
See you all during Shadow Shot Sunday :D
WOW...those paper cuts are beautiful! So elaborate...and like fairytales...as if they tell a story. I tried paper cutting, not so advanced as this though...it was not easy--LOL! I keep going back to look at these cut...just amazing, I'm almost speechless...Happy Day, M.Kate! ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteAll these paper cuts are so intricate. I can't imagine having the patience to do this! I like the double happiness one the best, too.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to say congrats for your blogging award! Yay!
Beautiful paper-cutting! It would be so much fun to actually watch them do it.
ReplyDeleteAnd you wouldn't think rats would be all that popular.. but they are actually very cute in many of the scenes. :) Red is a wonderful color too. Thanks for sharing all of this with us!
I am amazed at what beautiful things people can do..What wonderful work..
ReplyDeleteWhen I read about double happiness, it made me thing of the "8"..double..Now, I know why it is good luck..Like I always tell you, really enjoyed your blog..so interesting.
Absolutely beautiful! I have a cousin who paper cuts as a hobby, nothing like these pictures though. I'll have to show them to her. :)
ReplyDeleteWoW Kate! Fantastic paper cuttings. Can you speak chinese by the way?
ReplyDeleteYep, I see how chinese are passionate for everything in red:) Even Ikea is colored in red?
Our Ikea Istanbul is full of plenty colors as mosaic as our culture:) I think now it's a cultural way of thinking that's design, and a strategy that Ikea applies:)
As far the siggy (signature) blocks, I'm pretty ready to swap one w/you Kate! In my collection, I've no any siggy presenting Malaysia, and would be very pleased to have one from my dearest sweet friend, you:) I'd send you the chart how to make it via e-mail, ask me OK?
Regarding sewing, no, I cannot sew yet. As you can imagine, I use my hands, thanks God:) I make all my siggies at hand. Very easy, and takes only 20min or so. If required to sew, then I knock my mom's door, as she's got a sew machine and very talented in every kinda sew work:)
To turn my siggies into a friendship quilt, I'll again be lying down at doorstep of my mom:) Till then, lets change one among us, otherwise my Quilt would not be complete without your existence OK?
Thanks a lot in advance for your kind interest on this matter, lots of Love, warm hugs both you and your little ones by myside.
~Creatively yours.
Hi Tracy, there's so much history and folklore in every cutting.
ReplyDeleteHi Diva, Double happiness has a huge impact on weddings, you'll see them everywhere.
Hi Eileen, red is a nice colour too but I stop at chinese new year only, or else the whole house will look like a chinese restaurant :)
Hi Rosebud...now that you mention it, I realised the number '8', so cool .
Hi Sandra, these cuttings are not on A4 or any thick papers. They are cut on very flimsy papers, almost tissue like..I always wonder how they did it.
Hi Nihal...I speak a few chinese dialects and some very poor Mandarin (didn't go to Chinese school here), but language aside, Chinese worldwide have a close affinity with China in everything, especially tradition and culture. Now, that swap sounds realllly fun!!! I'll go locate my sewing kit..stashed somewhere in the house.
Hi Mary Kate ... Have these paper cuttings been available in KL for a long time? I saw them for the first time last year when I went back for CNY. I was totally fascinated and bought several pieces home and for friends. They were very well-received!
ReplyDeleteAs always, it is such a joy to read your blog and view awesome pictures. :)
I came across some sticker paper cuts and they feel so delicate that I think my hands will tremble if I should peel them off.
ReplyDeleteThose papercuts are beautiful!! I'm going to call my mom to check this out, she does a little papercutting and collect papercuts.
ReplyDeleteshe'll be pleased to see these!
Thanks for entering my give away and your nice comment, M. Kate!
ReplyDeleteA friend has given me beautiful framed Chinese paper cuts of cat images as a birthday gift, and it's been nice to see the ones you've displayed on your blog.
I'll have to send the paper cuts link to her.
Brooklyn, New York is getting its first IKEA store! It opens tomorrow and already there is a line outside :-)They are giving away a free couch to the first 35 people who enter the store.
Hugs, Pat
Every time I see pictures of Chinese Paper Cuts I'm just amazed. They're all so beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI just love these! Thanks for posting the photos, and who ever the person is you are sending the paper cuts too they are lucky indeed :-). Big hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteThe paper cuts are so intricate and amazing....I think I keep saying that about things I see from you! :) The red is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThe garden will be ready by wedding time. We worked all day and have quite a bit done. I'll share more on it later.
Goats are funny creatures!!
Fantastic chinese paper cuts. I traveled to China 2 years ago and I saw them. Thanks for your comment, it's a swap. Kisses from Spain
ReplyDeleteI love this kind of art !
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful and so inspiring
Beautiful paper art, beautiful post!
ReplyDeletePat
RATS RULE!!!
ReplyDeletewell in paper cuts anyway.
They are so charming.......and what an art to them......Hugs
Some awesome work you have shown here and the rat shopping bags are charming too! Paper cutting is such a refined art form..........
ReplyDeleteThese paper cuts are very pretty. Such an art form, paper cutting is. A time consuming one I bet.
ReplyDeleteThey are all pretty. Like the black and while one particualry.
Have a wonderful day M. Kate
xox
Constance
Paper-cutting is such a magical artform. There's an Etsy seller who does great paper-cutting (Fog & Thistle) & she also features some amazing paper-cutting artists on her blog (also called Fog & Thistle)...I wish I knew the link off-hand to include here. Can be found in my faves list on my blog anyways :) Oh & I have that very same red rat napkin holder! I bought mine from IKEA I think. Great post M! Love some of the art pieces you featured!
ReplyDeleteLove these paper cuts - so interesting and time consuming!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing art!
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing me to them.
Becky
Thanks for another interesting post Mary Kate. I didn't realise you could get so many themed things according to the year. It makes "2008" themed things seem very boring.
ReplyDeleteI hope yo get a parcel in the post to you this week now I've finally finished the octagon idea which has had me preoccupied.
Beautiful Mary Kate!! I am having a heck of a time with my internet connection for the last couple of days. Hope you got my email about SSS. Of course, feel free to use the cloud shadow photo. :)
ReplyDeleteYummy! They are perfection! The fact that they are made of tissue paper must require very patient artists. My fav is also the HEI symbol. *Gasp* The last one of the rats is so elaborate!
ReplyDeleteHugs
I know and love Danish paper cutting, but the Chinise is new to me. It looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate!
ReplyDeleteThat wonders in paper.
A greeting
Hi! Kate
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. Those paper cutting are amazing.
Very pretty! I love all the symbolism, especially the "HEI"...just beautiful!
ReplyDeletefuiyo...velly nice meh...
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous examples! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the goldfish on the vase, they look like flowers themselves.
these are so beautiful! i really love the red.
ReplyDeleteHi M.Kate!
ReplyDeleteThe Chinese Paper Cuts always fascinated me; and you show some beautiful ones... Loved to see!
Blogtrotter is still in Santiago de Compostela, now inside the Cathedral… Hope you enjoy, and have a nice weekend!
Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteI like your blog and all your scrappy things.
Look forward to reading more.
I love it!!!! Thank you very much!
I can't believe those are papercuts, what steady hands!
ReplyDelete:)
Gorgeous stuff as always, the paper cuts are fabulous and I love your Ikea bags
ReplyDeleteTwiggy x
love love love!!!
ReplyDeleteyou are my blog of the week!
Paper cut outs always did fascinate me - especially the ones with extreme and intricate details. IT's still a mystery to me how they do it. Wonderful post as always Mary Kate!
ReplyDeleteKaren
I like the paper cuts and very interesting to learn some symbolic meanings. My better half was born in the year of the rat. Rather lucky really as we visited the Far East this year! x
ReplyDelete