Besides the animal zodiac system (十二生肖), Chinese people also show their connection with animals in other ways    1     Paper-cutting in the shape of animals is one of the most common examples.

Paper-cutting is an amazing art. People use scissors cut paper into different shapes of animals, flowers, cut babies and so on. This art just needs simple tools, but it is not easy at all. When we look at the masters to cut paper, it only takes them a few minutes to finish, but for green hands,    2    他们需要练习很长时间。

Paper-cutting has a long history. When it first appeared in around 386, it didn’t attract much attention because of the shortage of paper.     3    这种艺术直到 6世纪才开始流行。With the development of the art, even in royal (皇家的) families ladies were also judged by the ability at paper cutting. In the 21st century,    4     red paper-cutting which means good luck can be often seen in weddings.

Without doubt, all these handwork products can reflect the relations between humans and animals, and even the whole world, and also the wisdom of ancient Chinese people.     5     It’s regretful that fewer and fewer young people show interest in it. Maybe, when the young can understand the real spirit of the art, they will finally fall in love with it.