중국 귀주(貴州)지역 묘족 의복 문양의 특성 연구

Abstract

(Background and Purpose) As an important component of China’s multicultural society, the Miao ethnic group expresses its unique traditions and values through distinctive traditional patterns which record the rich history of their life and society. The Miao are one of the largest ethnic minorities in China, holding a significant position in Chinese culture based on their long history and unique culture, and they continue to inherit their distinctive traditions and ways of life. Particularly during the period when they lacked a writing system, the patterns found in daily life served as important cultural media conveying ethnic identity. These patterns go beyond mere decoration, deeply reflecting the Miao’s spiritual worldview, and their original understanding of and values regarding life and nature. This study aims to systematically identify the main characteristics and compositional rules of the Miao clothing patterns and conduct an in-depth analysis of their symbolic meanings and aesthetic values. It also seeks to explore the implications of such an analysis for the contemporary design and preservation of cultural heritage. (Method) This study is limited to areas within the Guizhou Province, China, where the Miao population is densely concentrated. Based on prior research, the theoretical background was established, combining systematic literature review and field case analysis. Through these methods, the study aims to understand the cultural meanings and symbolism embedded in Miao clothing patterns, as well as the interrelationships among the compositional forms of the patterns, providing research data for the sustainable inheritance and development of clothing culture. In particular, the study employs multiple perspectives to explore how various patterns reflect ethnic identity and aesthetic ideals. (Results) The case analysis revealed that Miao clothing patterns can be broadly classified into animal, plant, and geometric motifs, each carrying unique symbolism and meaning within the Miao culture. Regarding compositional forms, individual patterns were categorized into five main aspects: ethnicity, symbolism, cultural significance, decoration, and religiosity. This suggests that Miao clothing patterns function as complex cultural codes reflecting not only decoration but also ethnic identity and spiritual worldview. Additionally, fieldwork and literature review identified unclear usage and meanings in various terms related to clothing patterns in Guizhou, highlighting the need to clarify and standardize the classification system for these patterns. (Conclusions) The results show that the characteristics of Miao clothing patterns represent aspects such as symbolism, cultural significance, ethnicity, decoration, and religiosity, demonstrating the Miao people's unique understanding of and reverence for nature, life, and their ancestors. The compositional forms, including individual patterns, continuous patterns, and suitable patterns, influence the overall effect and visual perception, representing the aesthetic ideals and artistic expression of the Miao clothing culture. This reflects the rich originality of the Miao culture, and in-depth research is expected to contribute to cultural transmission and contemporary innovation, ultimately helping to promote the sustainable development of the Miao culture for future textile design.