A study of knife folding in traditional Chinese origami art

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-01-19

Handmade origami

The art of origami is an important part of traditional Chinese culture, with a long history and rich forms of expression。Among them, knife folding is a unique technique of origami art, in which paper is folded to create origami works with sharp blades. This article will discuss the historical origins, production methods and cultural connotations of knife origami, in order to have a deeper understanding of this traditional art form.

1. The historical origin of knife-shaped origami

Originating in the Han Dynasty in China, knife-shaped origami was mainly used in rituals and funeral ceremonies, where folded paper was used to simulate real-life artifacts and animal figures. Over time, knife origami gradually developed into an independent art form and reached its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties. During this period, knife-shaped origami became a way for literati to express their emotions and display their talents, and it was also widely used in folk arts and crafts.

Second, the production method of knife-shaped origami

1. Prepare materials.

To make knife origami, you need to prepare a white square piece of paper. The material of the paper should have a certain toughness and thickness so that it is not easy to tear during the folding process. In addition, in order to make origami works more beautiful and delicate, you can choose rice paper with a better texture or hand-painted colored paper.

2. Folding steps.

1) Fold the paper in half diagonally to form an equilateral triangle.

2) Fold the two corners of the triangle in half towards the center, then flip it over and fold the two corners on the other side in half towards the center as well.

3) Turn the paper over again, fold the triangle in half, and fold the left corner in half along the midline to the right.

4) Fold the right corner in half along the midline to the left, then turn the paper over again and fold the triangle in half in half.

5) Fold the left corner in half along the midline to the right, and then fold the right corner in half along the midline to the left as well. At this point, the paper should take on a shape similar to that of a knife.

6) Fold the paper in half down, then use your fingers or tools to unfold the paper to form a knife-shaped origami work.

3. The cultural connotation of knife-shaped origami

1. Symbolism.

In traditional culture, the knife has the symbolic meaning of warding off evil spirits and avoiding disasters. Therefore, knife-shaped origami is widely used in folk arts and crafts to ward off evil spirits and ward off evil spirits. In some areas, people also place knife-shaped origami on the gate on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month to prevent evil spirits from invading.

2. Aesthetic value.

As a unique art form, knife origami has extremely high aesthetic value. By folding the paper to create a shape with a sharp blade, it gives a strong visual impact and artistic appeal. At the same time, knife origami works can also enhance their beauty and expressiveness through the use of decoration and color.

3. Inheritance and development.

As an important part of traditional Chinese origami art, knife-shaped origami has a long history and rich cultural connotations. However, with the development of modern society and cultural changes, this traditional art form is facing the dilemma of inheritance and development. Therefore, we should strengthen the research and conservation of knife origami, and inherit and develop this unique art form through various ways.

4. Conclusion:

This article shows the unique charm and value of this traditional art form through the historical origin, production method and cultural connotation of knife-shaped origami. As an important part of traditional Chinese origami art, knife-shaped origami not only has a long history and rich forms of expression, but also contains profound cultural connotations and aesthetic values. However, with the development of modern society and cultural changes, this traditional art form is facing the dilemma of inheritance and development. Therefore, we should strengthen the research and conservation of knife origami.

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