Historical Changes and Cultural Expressions of Black Miao Animal Patterns in Qiandongnan, China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/ajac.2026.128Keywords:
Animal embroidery patterns, Black Miao culture, Contemporary clothing design, Cultural self-confidence, Miao ethnic groupAbstract
Qiandongnan is home to the world’s largest concentration of Miao people and serves as the primary hub for the preservation and transmission of Black Miao culture. Within Chinese decorative arts, animal embroidery patterns adorning Black Miao costumes embody profound symbolic meanings and substantial cultural significance.Drawing on fieldwork investigations and visual material analysis, this study examines the historical evolution, stylistic characteristics, artistic expressions, symbolic connotations, and contemporary applications of 20 representative animal patterns in modern apparel design. The research identifies the core formal and cultural attributes of these patterns and proposes a “Method Extraction–Application–Validation” framework to guide their modern transformation. The ultimate aim is to advance ethnic cultural inheritance, support cultural preservation, and foster sustainable innovation through design practice.
Highlights This study systematically analysed 20 representative animal motifs from the Black Miao ethnic group in Southeast Guizhou (such as dragons, butterflies, and golden pheasants) through qualitative research and visual coding. The analysis elucidated the cultural connotations (for example, ancestor worship, fertility wishes) and formal characteristics (for example, full-page layout, balanced symmetrical composition) of these patterns. The study proposes targeted modernization pathways, including the extraction of core symbols, the streamlining of redundant details, and the adjustment of colour schemes to bridge the gap between traditional patterns and contemporary aesthetics and production. The applicability of this transformation framework across fashion, cultural and creative products, and jewellery is validated by case studies (for example, the “2023 Miao Series”). The present framework, entitled “Method Extraction–Application Validation”, addresses an evident academic gap in cross-scenario systematic transformation, providing an actionable paradigm for the modernization of ethnic minority intangible cultural heritage patterns.
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