China, Pingyao - Street vendor of paper cutting art - May 2012

Chinese paper-cutting, or jianzhi, is a centuries-old folk art. Patterns, often representing Chinese characters and zodiac animals, are cut out from paper with the help of a scissor or a knife. Red is the most commonly used colour, standing for good luck and prosperity. Paper-cuts remain popular in China today, especially for weddings and Chinese New Year.

Done