Folk paper-cut is a living fossil of art history. The cultural heritage it carries corresponds with the cultural antiques unearthed from the same area and with the historical documentation and legendary stories. For example, one of the three influential
tribes in ancient history is Miao Man group inhabited along the Yangtze River. About 4500 years ago, Miao strode northward and waged a war with Huaxia tribal group along the Yellow River basin. After being defeated, they retreated to live in the enclosed southwest mountain area. Today's Miao and Yao ethnic groups in Yunnan Province are their descendants. Without a written language, Miao ethnic group had no documentation other than verbal legendary stories. However, the living paper-cut of their national dress vividly depicts the legendary story from the birth of Miao ethnic group to the migration journey after the battle. It is like a complete ancient history book of Miao ethnic group. And the paper-cut patterns of the embroidery dress still popular along the Yellow River today is like a history book of the ancient totem culture,
displaying totem idols from images of animal totem; to half animal, half human; and humanized totem.
