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剪紙是中國最為流行的民間藝術之一，根據考古其歷史可追朔到公元六世紀，但人們認為它的實際開始時間比這還要早幾百年。剪紙常用于宗教儀式，裝飾和造型藝術等方面。

在過去，人們經常用紙做成形態(tài)各異的物像和人像，與死者一起下葬或葬禮上燃燒，這一習俗在中國境外有時仍可見到。剪紙藝術一般都有象征意義，也是這種儀式的一部分；此外剪紙還被用作祭祀祖先和神仙所用供品的裝飾物。

現在，剪紙更多地是用于裝飾。剪紙可用于點綴墻壁、門窗、房柱、鏡子、燈和燈籠等，也可為禮品作點綴之用，甚至剪紙本身也可作為禮物贈送他人。

Paper cutting is an ancient folk art in China. Archaeological findings trace the tradition back to the sixth century. The beginnings of paper cutting may have taken place even a few centuries earlier. Xu Yang, a paper cutting artist for more than 30 years, says there was already a similar art before the invention of paper.

"Paper cutting is an art form that carves out spaces to create images. About 3,500 years ago, there was a similar art. A piece of carved gold foil was discovered in a cultural relic in the city of Chengdu. It was the forerunner of paper cuttings. After the invention of paper in the Han Dynasty, people started to carve on paper and that was the beginning of paper cutting as we know it today."

Paper cuttings were used for religious purposes, decorations and as patterns. As this is still partly the case outside China, various paper objects and figures used to be buried with the dead or were burned during funeral ceremonies. Paper cuttings, which were usually symbolic, were part of this ritual. They also often served as decorations for sacrificial offerings to ancestors and gods.

Today, paper cuttings are mainly used as decorations. They adorn walls, windows, doors, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes and are also used for decoration on presents or are given as presents themselves. Shen Xiaohong is a fan of paper cutting.

"I like paper cutting very much. During various festivals, we often buy some paper cuts to decorate the home. I think paper cuts are very beautiful and display strong Chinese characteristics."

During the Spring Festival, people cut animals, flowers and figures in the paper to decorate their windows and doors.

These paper cuttings are therefore sometimes called 'window flowers' or 'picture cuts'. According to Xu Yang, the 'window flowers' are commonly used by families during festivals or on celebratory days.

"The custom of pasting window flowers initially appeared in North China. During festivals such as the New Year, weddings, and celebrations for the birth of a baby, people used paper cuttings to show their pleasure, reflect the prosperous atmosphere or bring good luck."

Paper cuttings are mostly red, as red represents auspiciousness in China. There are also some more varied and colorful paper cuttings, such as those in Henan and Guangdong provinces.

Paper cuttings typically demonstrate the preferred aesthetics of shape and the artistic concepts behind Chinese folk handicrafts. An understanding and scrutiny of paper cuttings is a good basis for understanding and appreciating the complexity of Chinese folk arts.