Research On Cultural Meaning Of The Xiangxi Fenghuang Paper Art

The Xiangxi area is a magical land, the hardworking people here create amagnificent and numerous intangible cultural heritages by using their hands, theFenghuang paper arts is one of the excellent traditional folk craftsmanship heritage.Fenghuang paper has a long history with skilled techniques. It lives and develops on theregional culture and society backgrounds of the Xiangxi region. It usually used in theObsequies, the Shamanism, the seasonal festivals, the temple fair and other events, andit reflected the beliefs and values of people in Xiangxi in a highly symbolic form, whichhas profound cultural connotation and artistic value. For this reason, the articlediscussed the regional cultural and ecological context that leaded to the formation anddevelopment of the Fenghuang paper on the basis of visiting, recording, reorganizingthe picture of Fenghuang paper. It also analyzed the process and artistic features andmade a thorough inquiry on the specific applications in folk activities of the Fenghuangpaper art, as well as reflects the culture connotation and symbolism when in the specificapplication process.The main contents and results are as follows:Firstly, it introduced the research background, the current summarize both indomestic and abroad, the academic significance and practical significance and thecontent, methods and purposes of the study of Fenghuang paper art. It also analyzes thefocus and innovation of the paper research.Secondly, from a folk cultural and ecological perspective point of view, the articlepresented and analyzed the formation and development background of the Fenghuangpaper art. The Fenghuang paper art rooted in the Western region, it has been influencedby the natural geographical environment, the social history and the folk religiousbeliefs.Again, it recorded the production process and raw materials of the Fenghuangpaper art, and the art’s characteristics are summarized into a more comprehensivesystem, which showing its artistic features in a way with diverse shape, richornamentation, brilliant colors and lightweight materials.Finally, the Fenghuang paper art is placed in the context of the folkloreenvironment. Its culture meaning can be explored deeply when it is used in theObsequies, the Shamanism, the seasonal festivals, the temple fair and other events in Xiangxi area. Including the buried funeral concept, the simple and original concept offilial piety, the optimistic and open-minded concepts of life and death and the secularutilitarian values, which reflecting that the Fenghuang paper art contains a profoundcultural meaning and symbolism.