Chinese Double Happiness paper-cut

There are many paper-cuts that contain the character xǐ ‘Double Happiness’ paper-cut. It is often seen at weddings and other family celebrations. These step-by-step instructions show you how to make it. All you need is colored paper and scissors.

Double happiness,paper-cut
This form has an attractive circular outline but there are many other styles too.
Double happiness,round,paper-cut

1. This is the template for this paper-cut - right click on it and save the image, then print it out onto colored paper.
Double happiness,paper-cut

2. First print onto your colored paper using your printer. You can print onto paper and then use 'temporary', 'positioning' glue to stick to thicker paper/card or other media.
Double happiness,paper-cut

3. Now fold the paper in half along the vertical line A leaving the printed marks outwards.
Double happiness,paper-cut

4. Fold the paper a second time along the vertical line B.
Double happiness,paper-cut

5. Cut out four horizontal rectangles on the right side and one shorter one on the left using sharp scissors. Do NOT cut the small rounded triangle at this stage.
Double happiness,paper-cut

6. This is how it should look after completing these five cuts.
Double happiness,paper-cut

7. Open out fold B and then start cutting around the outline of the circle.
Double happiness,paper-cut

8. This is what you should see having cut away the bottom part of the circle outline after carefully following the printed line. The top edge, the inner vertical cuts and also the rounded triangle at the bottom are still to be done.
Double happiness,paper-cut

9. All the cuts have been made.
Double happiness,paper-cut

10. Open out the paper-cut along fold A to reveal the completed paper-cut. You can scale the paper-cut image to larger or smaller sizes and follow the same procedure. As it is only folded over twice you should be able to use quite thick paper or thin card. It's also easy to make a square version - just use a square rather than a round outline.

See also