History of paper cutting traditions
History of paper cutting: explore 4 local traditions. Papel picado, jianzhi, scherenschnitte and wycinanki. Cultural examples and cutting lessons.
Paper-cutting has many local traditions. Papel picado, jianzhi, scherenschnitte and wycinanki differ in their materials, patterns and uses.
Papel picado · Mexico
Papel picado means punched or perforated paper. Colourful tissue-paper banners decorate many celebrations; for Día de los Muertos they can be placed around an altar.
Our papel picado lesson uses a folded sheet and simple cuts to make a banner panel.
Jianzhi · China
Chinese paper-cutting, often called jianzhi, includes work cut with scissors or engraved with a chisel. Patterns and purposes vary by region: examples decorate windows or mark weddings and other festivities. UNESCO inscribed Chinese paper-cut on its heritage list in 2009.
Scherenschnitte · Germany and Switzerland
Scherenschnitte is the German name used for paper-cutting. The Swiss National Museum’s exhibition shows precise work made with scissors or small knives, spanning historical and contemporary examples.
Wycinanki · Poland
Wycinanki is Polish paper-cutting. It can include coloured pieces layered and glued together: a Kadzidło example in the Museum of International Folk Art combines coloured leaves and flowers on white paper.