Paper-cutting art shapes new lives for Cangxi people

Huanma paper-cutting is a folk art that originated and is popular in Huanma town, Cangxi county, Southwest China's Sichuan province.

It is reported that 8,500 of the 12,000 people in the town have mastered paper-cutting skills. They usually make colorful paper-cutting works during Spring Festival to express their wishes for an auspicious new year. Before getting married or after baby's birth, they often adorn rooms with paper-cuttings as a token of love.

According to legend, Zhang Fei, general of the Shu Kingdom (907-925), once lost his horse while being absorbed in watching a village girl paper-cutting art. He then whistled to the horse to come back. At that time, artists recorded this story using paper-cutting and shadow plays.

At present, the time-honored art has brought many business opportunities to the local people. More than 10 folk artists have developed businesses, turning artistic works into commodities, which has become a good way to generate income.

Huanma town has been awarded the by the Ministry of Culture as the "Hometown of Chinese Folk Art (Paper-cut)" and the "Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art".