Miao traditional patterns: the origins and design transformation

Abstract

This work explores Miao’s decorative art. The relevance of the study stems from the fact that artefacts produced by Miao people have high aesthetic and cultural values, whereas decorative patterns covering their surface have meanings, which transform over time. Research objects are from the Palace Museum in Beijing. Various research methods were used to determine the visually encoded meaning of Miao ornaments within the context of philosophy, mythology and ethnic religion. This study answers questions about the evolution of Miao decorative patterns and offers a thoughtful overview of risks and prospects of today’s Miao culture.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Guangxi Natural Science Foundation Project (2018GXNSFAA050068):Landscape Image and its Construction Method of Ethnic Tourism Villages in Northern Guangxi. Guangxi Philosophy and Social Science Foundation Project (18FSH003):Study on Landscape Construction and Heritage of Rural Cultural Protection in Northern Guangxi Ethnic Areas from the Perspective of Cultural Genes.

Notes on contributors

Dong Han

Dong Han - ethnic minority specialist in China. Master’s degree. 1. Guilin University Of Technology, Department of Tourism & Landscape Architecture, 12# Jian Gan Rd., Guilin Guangxi, Guilin, China, 541004; 2. Kookmin University, Graduate School of Technical Design Staff, Seoul, Korea.

Linlin Cong

Linlin Cong - author of research in Asian art. Master’s degree. 1. Guilin University Of Technology, Department of Tourism & Landscape Architecture, 12# Jian Gan Rd., Guilin Guangxi, Guilin, China, 541004; 2. Kookmin University, Graduate School of Technical Design Staff, Seoul, Korea.