剪纸是中国最普及的民间装饰艺术之一。
Paper cut is one of the most popular Chinese decorative folk arts.

传统的剪纸也叫做“窗花”，因为它最初就是贴在窗户上作为装饰用的。
Traditional paper cut is also called “Window blossoms” because they were first put on windows for decoration.

其他的剪纸形式都是在窗花的基础上发展演变而来。
Other forms of paper cut are derived from the “window blossoms”.

中国各地在春节期间都要在窗子上贴上寓意吉祥的窗花。
Window blossoms are put on windows in all parts of China during Spring Festival.

这个习俗历史悠久，美丽的窗花不仅能妆点节日的气氛，还寄托了人们辞旧迎新，接福纳祥的美好愿望。
This custom has a long history which not only brings festivity to the holiday, but is also a symbol for people to express their wishes for welcoming the new year, blessings, and fortunes.

中国各地的剪纸风格各异。
There are different styles of paper cut in different parts of China.

一般来说，北方广大农村劳动妇女注重剪纸所表达的观念，想到哪儿剪到哪儿。
Generally speaking, farming women from North China pay special attention to concept, so the design flows with their thoughts.

而南方剪纸玲珑剔透 严整优雅，以写实风格著称。
Paper cut in South China is well known for its exquisite, elegant, realistic style.

于是形成了北方剪纸粗犷随意，南方水乡剪纸精致明快的“北犷南秀”的鲜明特色。
Therefore, northern and southern paper cut can be distinguished as free and rugged or elegant and exquisite, respectively.

反映了北方大陆与南方水乡劳动群众的性格气质。
This reflects the difference in disposition and personality between the northern and southern parts of China.

河北蔚县的剪纸是北方彩色剪纸的代表。
Paper cut in Yu county, Hebei province represents northern style with its bright colors.

这里的剪纸不是用剪刀剪出来的，而是用各种不同的刻刀。
The paper was carved using a carving knife instead of using scissors.

这种剪纸色泽明艳贴在窗子上光影效果极佳。
In the windows, the bright colors combined with light to form lovely patterns and shadows.

首先要“设计”一个用作雕刻的模版，用笔仔细勾画出图案的线条。
At first, a carving mold should be designed, and then the lines of the pattern will be drawn.

然后把模版放在一叠纸的上面，再用各种不同的刻刀，沿着线条把图案刻出来。
After that, the mold is put on a stack of paper and different kinds of knives are used to carve along the lines.

最后一步是“染色”。
The last step is to color the paper.

用白酒调配好颜料，再用毛笔均匀地涂在刻好的白纸上。
Dyes are mixed with liquor and are brushed onto white paper.

这个步骤叫“熏样”。
This procedure is called “smoking sample”.

把剪好的模版用水蘸湿贴在白纸上，再用蜡烛的烟熏黑。
The wetted carved mold is put on white paper and smoked with a candle.

在复印机还没有发明出来时，剪纸艺人们就用这种方式来复制他们的模版。
Before the copying machine was invented, the paper cut artists copied their carving mold using this technique.

这幅“九龙剪纸”有五米长、两米高，是用一整张纸雕刻而成的。
This five-meter-long and two-meter-high “Nine-dragon Paper cut” is carved on one piece of paper.

八位剪纸艺人用了四年时间雕刻而成。
It took eight artists four years to complete it.

不仅九条神龙活灵活现，而且每一处线条都是连接在一起的。
The nine dragons are not only vivid, but also each of the fine lines is connected.

如今的剪纸，早已走出了中国人家的小院，走入了现代设计的广阔天地。
The paper cuts have walked out from the domestic decoration to modern interior design.

在产品包装设计、商标广告、室内装潢、服装设计、书籍装帧、邮票设计、连环画等处都有它的影子。
The art form is reflected on trade marks, advertisement, interior decoration, fashion design, book binding, stamp design and cartoon books.

主题也不再局限于中国人的传统生活，而开始表现各种不同的文化内容。
The theme is not limited to traditional Chinese life, but encompasses different cultural artifacts.

纸
paper

剪纸
Paper cut

剪刀
scissor

教剪纸
How to cut window blossoms

我来为大家介绍一下剪普通窗花的基本步骤。
Let me show the basic steps of how to cut window blossoms.

第一步是“折”。
The first step is to fold.

把一张正方形的纸沿着对角线折成三角形，然后再对折一次。
Fold a piece of squared paper along the diagonal into a triangle, and fold into another triangle.

现在就可以开始“剪”了。
Now we can start to cut.

窗花可以不用很规则的设计。
Window blossoms can be designed with irregular patterns.

首先剪出一个弧形，作为花瓣的轮廓。
First cut an arch which will be the outline of the petals.

之后用剪刀随意剪出各种曲线或锯齿。
After that use a pair of scissors to cut different kinds of curved lines and saw tooth.

也可以剪出半个“心型”。
A half heart shape can also be cut.

最后一步是展开，这个时候要轻一点，免得撕破较细的连接处。
The last step is to open up with light touch to avoid tear the fine connections.

然后轻轻展平，你会发现，所有随意的形状都变成了美丽的对称图案。
Lightly flat it, you will find a beautiful symmetrical pattern from a random cut.