A STUDY OF THE DIVERSITY OF MANIFESTATIONS OF FISHING AND HUNTING CULTURE IN CHINESE PAPER CUTTING ART BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF THE SERIES OF WORKS “WINTER FISHING”

10.31806/2542-1158-2025-9-4-83-94

Qiong Wu1

1 Transbaikal State University, Chita, Russia.
546349674@qq.com, orcid.org/0009-0001-8516-6565

Abstract. The study focuses on the representation of fishing and hunting culture in Chinese paper-cutting art, using the series Winter Fishing as a case study. The relevance of the research lies in the need to preserve and renew traditional artistic practices under the conditions of globalization and the gradual loss of intangible cultural heritage. The purpose of the article is to analyze iconographic motifs, artistic techniques, and cultural connotations related to fishing and hunting, as well as to develop approaches for their transmission and adaptation to contemporary artistic contexts.

The research material consists of a corpus of works united under the title Winter Fishing, executed in the traditional jiǎnzhǐ (剪纸) technique. The methodological framework combines iconographic and iconological analysis, comparative study of regional styles of paper-cutting, as well as elements of field observation and literature analysis.

The results reveal stable motifs of fishing and hunting culture, including tools, fishing scenes, and the symbolism of fish as a sign of abundance. Their compositional and color solutions are analyzed, with special attention to the role of “yin” and “yang” cutting techniques in conveying the contrasts of natural environment and human labor. It is established that the series combines traditional ornamental forms with modern compositional approaches, thereby maintaining cultural identity while innovating artistic expression.

The conclusions show that the integration of fishing and hunting themes into paper-cutting art strengthens regional identity, expands practical applications (design, education, cultural tourism), and opens prospects for interdisciplinary research in art history, ethnography, and cultural studies.

Keywords: jianzhi, fishing and hunting culture, winter fishing, iconography, intangible cultural heritage.

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