China is the birthplace of paper cutting. The place of origin is in the country’s central plains, according to some reports. Fuyang is a city with a long history, folk customs and rich cultural atmosphere. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the art of paper cutting had already appeared. The city has also been named a National Paper Cutting City by the Ministry of Culture.

Paper-cuts can be used in many ways. During festivals, paper-cuts are used for window decorations. Those depicting lambs symbolize good luck and joy. They can also be used in making loose coverings for the chest or bibs with flowers or birds depicted on the cut paper. They are vivid and clear, featuring northern and southern paper cutting characteristics.

Paper-cuts in Fuyang are mostly associated with folk customs, featuring crop harvests and domestic animals. Local art celebrates the enjoyment of life and the environment.

In 2008, a long paper-cut coil was sent to the National Calligraphy and Paintings Exhibition on behalf of Fuyang, and was donated to the organizing committee of the 2008 Olympic Games. People also applied to the Guinness Book of Records for the largest paper-cut. The long paper-cut was made over a two-year span by more than 20 folk artists in Fuyang, using specially made, colorful Xuan paper. It has three themes: welcoming the Olympic Games, celebrating traditional virtues and promoting the great unity of all the ethnic groups.

Since 1978, paper-cuts from Fuyang have been exhibited in Hefei, Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing and Tokyo. The paper-cuts have been displayed on film by the Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio.