Chinese folk art

An important early example of jade carving were the circular disks known as bi, generally understood to represent the heavens in some fashion.

By 206 BC, Xu Shen—a Chinese scholar under the Han—listed the Five Virtues of Jade as benevolence, honesty, wisdom, integrity, and bravery.

Craftsmen used to travel with their tools to villages and towns to make and sell flour figures for a very basic income.

Chinese paper cutting (剪纸, jianzhi) is a type of folk art that has roots in China during the 6th century and is attributed to Cai Lun during the Han Dynasty.

Known to be very intricate with the use of negative space, paper cutting is used for mostly decorative reasons, appearing on mirrors, lanterns, walls, etc.

In most cities and Chinatowns, paper art will adorn many street corners, business fronts, and inside buildings.

Shadow plays are a form of puppetry that is performed by moving figures made of animal skins or cardboard held behind a screen lit by lamplight.

The subject matter and singing style in shadow plays are closely related to Chinese opera, except without using live actors or actresses.

Muyu, a rounded woodblock carved in the shape of a fish, it is played by striking the top with a wooden stick; often used in Buddhist chanting.