In 105 AD, a Chinese Court Official of the Han Dynasty called Ts'ai Lun invented paper. Along the route of the history of paper, the Chinese also introduced the "art of paper cutting" during the Northern and Southern Dynasty (386-581 AD). Intricate patterns were cut-out using scissors or sculpted using a very sharp knife. Papers of various colors were used to shape various objects familiar to the paper cut artist's surroundings. Paper cut themes also reflect the aspirations and wishes of the Chinese people featuring themes like good fortune and a prosperous life or harvest in the farm. These paper cut outs were used to decorate houses during festivals and even used as hair ornaments by women.
During the Chinese Festivals like the New Year, paper cuttings are used to adorn entrances of buildings and homes to bring good luck and fortune.
Today, China has many folk artists specializing in paper cut outs. The knowledge usually was passed on by generations of paper artists in their family or home town. There are different styles of rendering paper cuttings in each region of China. There used to be only traditional Chinese themes but today western images and modern art touches are found in certain paper cut outs.
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