The Paper Horse of Tengchong, an Ornate and Magical Art

In the border region of western Yunnan, where China is linked with Myanmar by common mountains and rivers, there is a large expanse of beautiful land, Tengchong, which is known as "an emerald in the depth of great mountains."

Tengchong used to be a hub of communications on the ancient southern Silk Road. As long as more than 2,400 years ago, it was visited by merchants from the middle reaches of the Yangtze River on their way to Myanmar, India, Pakistan and Iran.

Magnificent volcanoes, erupting geysers, enchanted meadows, elegant emeralds and 1,000-year-old towns can be found here, as well as a folk art that is almost extinct in other parts of China-the paper horse.

The paper horse is also called horse paper and divine horse. It is the general name for the various kinds of printed matters of woodblocks that are burned in sacrificial customs among the Chinese people. It originated from the prayers of people in ancient times to deities to receive happiness and to exorcize evil spirits. The paper horse is a crafted art, which is burned after its birth. It never appeals to refined tastes, and its fate is not to be hung in grand halls or elegant rooms, but to end in wisps of fire and ashes on the ground. However, it has already a history of over 1,000 years. Although it has an ordinary appearance, its patterns of primitive simplicity have a particularly pleasing quality. And its rich religious and folklore subject-matter make it even more enigmatically attractive.