Symbolic Interpretation and Design Innovation of "Tiger-head Kao" Patterns on Clothing of Shaanxi Rod Puppets

SUN Wen, YONG Leyao

Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (14) : 540-551.

PDF(2036 KB)
PDF(2036 KB)
Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (14) : 540-551. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.14.046
Design Discussion

Symbolic Interpretation and Design Innovation of "Tiger-head Kao" Patterns on Clothing of Shaanxi Rod Puppets

  • SUN Wen, YONG Leyao*
Author information +
History +

Abstract

The work aims to put focuses on the insufficient research and declining situation of the tiger-head kao (armour-like opera costumes) patterns on clothing of Shaanxi rod puppets, analyze their symbolic meanings and cultural functions, explore their modern innovative application approaches, and thus promote the activation and daily inheritance of this intangible cultural heritage. Drawing on semiotics, the cultural memory theory, and design aesthetics, and with reference to traditional opera samples, pattern elements such as tiger patterns and wool swirl patterns were extracted to analyze their structural forms and visual grammars, and the Kano model was used to understand consumer needs. Practical transformation was realized by designing derivative dolls. The findings included a refined three-level symbolic system of the tiger-head kao patterns, with clear symbolic meanings of patterns like tiger patterns. The Kano model showed that interactivity and cultural connotation were expected needs, while material texture and emotional appeal were attractive ones. Additionally, the dolls, which integrated traditional patterns with modern design, achieved the balance between cultural inheritance and functional adaptation. In conclusion, the study uncovers the cultural logic and symbolic value of the tiger-head kao patterns, and the proposed innovative application strategies effectively drive the modern transformation of intangible cultural heritage elements, providing an operational reference model for the activation and inheritance of similar intangible cultural heritages.

Key words

Shaanxi rod puppets / tiger-head kao patterns / symbolic interpretation / intangible cultural heritage activation / innovative design

Cite this article

Download Citations
SUN Wen, YONG Leyao. Symbolic Interpretation and Design Innovation of "Tiger-head Kao" Patterns on Clothing of Shaanxi Rod Puppets[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2026, 47(14): 540-551 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.14.046

References

[1] 王文章, 陈飞龙. 非物质文化遗产保护与国家文化发展战略[J]. 华中师范大学学报(人文社会科学版), 2008(2): 81-89.
WANG W W, CHEN F L.The Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage and National Cultural Development Strategies[J]. Journal of Central China Normal University (Humanities and Social Sciences), 2008(2): 81-89.
[2] 吕品田. 中国民间美术现状研究及其他[J]. 美术观察, 2001(5): 50.
LYU P T.Research on the Current Situation of Chinese Folk Art and Others[J]. Art Observation, 2001(5): 50.
[3] 张道一. 中国民艺的现状与未来[J]. 美术观察, 1997(2): 11-13.
ZHANG D Y.The Present Situation and Future of Chinese Folk Art[J]. Art Observation, 1997(2): 11-13.
[4] 赵晓彦, 王赫德. 鄂伦春族狍皮袍纹样研究[J]. 包装工程, 2023, 44(18): 265-275.
ZHAO X Y, WANG H D.Research on the Pattern of the Roe Deer Robe of the Oroqen Ethnic Group[J]. Packaging Engineering, 2023, 44(18): 265-275.
[5] 王飞, 肖家斌. 传承、变通与表达: 川北大木偶戏活态传承三向度[J]. 戏剧文学, 2025(2): 98-102.
WANG F, XIAO J B.Inheritance, Adaptation and Expression: The Three Dimensions of the Living Inheritance of the Puppet Show in Northern Sichuan[J]. Drama Literature, 2025(2): 98-102.
[6] 故宫博物院. 三彩武士俑[EB/OL]. 北京: 故宫博物院. (2024-02-11)[2026-03-21]. https: //www.dpm.org. cn/collection/ceramic/227494.html.
Palace Museum. Tricolor glazed warrior figurine[EB/ OL]. Beijing: Palace Museum. (2024-02-11)[2026-03-21]. https://www.dpm.org.cn/collection/ceramic/227494.html
[7] 宋俊华. 中国古代戏剧服饰研究[M]. 广州: 广东高等教育出版社, 2011.
SONG J H.Research on Ancient Chinese Theatrical Costume. Guangzhou: Guangdong Higher Education Press, 2011.
[8] 巴特R, 邵一平, 肖熹. 影像的修辞[J]. 电影艺术, 2012(2): 94-101.
BARTHES R, SHAO Y P, XIAO X.The Rhetoric of Imagery Film Art, 2012(2): 94-101.
[9] 王智薇, 李洋, 刘超菘. 昭觉彝族毛纺织及擀制非遗手工艺文创产品设计[J]. 包装工程, 2023, 44(16): 356-364.
WANG Z W, LI Y, LIU C S.Design of Cultural and Creative Products of Zhaojue Yi Ethnic Group Wool Textile and Rolling Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicraft[J]. Packaging Engineering, 2023, 44(16): 356-364.
[10] 李晓玲. 泉州提线木偶戏民俗艺术视觉形象设计[D]. 青岛: 青岛科技大学, 2023.
LI X L.Visual Image Design of Quanzhou String Puppetry Folk Art[D]. Qingdao: Qingdao University of Science and Technology, 2023.
[11] SAUSSURE D F.Course in General Linguistics[M]. London: Bloomsbury Publishing: 10:
[12] BARTHES R.Image-Music-Text[M]. New York: Sage Publications, 2021: 32-35
[13] 胡瑞波, 张树月, 杜沂倩. 福建罗源畲族服饰视觉符号中的审美特征分析[J]. 包装工程, 2024, 45(增刊1): 208-212.
HU R B, ZHANG S Y, DU Y Q.Analysis of Aesthetic Characteristics in the Visual Symbols of Luoyuan She Costumes in Fujian[J]. Packaging Engineering, 2024, 45(Sup. 1): 208-212.
[14] 张勃. 存异:民俗文化全球化背景下的重要功能——从其作为地方文化向度的思考[C]//北京联合大学北京学研究所. 北京学研究文集2008(下). 北京: 北京师范大学文学院, 2008: 256-266.
ZHANG B.Survival of Differences: The Important Functions of Folk Culture in the Context of Globalization: Reflections on Folk Culture as a Local Cultural Dimension[C]// Institute of Peking Studies, Beijing Union University. Beijing Studies Research Anthology 2008 (II). School of Literature. Beijing: Beijing Normal University, 2008: 256-266.
[15] 王海霞. 庙会与民间传统玩具[J]. 美术观察, 2002(2): 63-64.
WANG H X.Temple Fair and Folk Traditional Toys[J]. Art Observation, 2002(2): 63-64.
[16] 冯骥才. 中国木版年画的价值及普查的意义——《中国木版年画集成》总序[J]. 民间文化论坛, 2005(1): 53-58.
FENG J C.The Value of Chinese Woodblock New Year Paintings and the Significance of the Census: The General Preface of "Chinese Woodblock New Year Paintings"[J]. Folk Culture Forum, 2005(1): 53-58.
[17] 王中旭. 唐宋佛画转型[J]. 美术研究, 2022(3): 29-32.
WANG Z X.Transformation of Buddhist Painting in the Tang and Song Dynasties[J]. Art Research, 2022(3): 29-32.
[18] 高晓涵. 唐代小说中虎形象的探析[D]. 福州: 福建师范大学, 2019.
GAO X H.Analysis of Tiger Images in Tang Dynasty Novels[D]. Fuzhou: Fujian Normal University, 2019.
[19] 李砚祖. 设计的文化与历史责任——李砚祖谈“设计与文化”[J]. 设计, 2020, 33(2): 42-46.
LI Y Z.Cultural and Historical Responsibility of Design: Li Yanzu on "Design and Culture"[J]. Design, 2020, 33(2): 42-46. (in Chinese)
[20] 乔歆新, 丁婷婷, 应源山. 基于Kano模型的社区高血压移动医疗服务需求研究[J]. 包装工程, 2017, 38(22): 32-36.
QIAO X X, DING T T, YING Y S.Research on the Demand for Community Hypertension Mobile Medical Services Based on Kano Model[J]. Packaging Engineering, 2017, 38(22): 32-36.
[21] 李娟, 陈香. 地域文化符号融入博物馆文创产品的设计策略[J]. 包装工程, 2020, 41(8): 160-165.
LI J, CHEN X.Design Strategy of Integrating Regional Cultural Symbols into Museum Cultural and Creative Products[J]. Packaging Engineering, 2020, 41(8): 160-165.
[22] 康海玲. 守正开新:福建木偶戏的当代传承与创新[J]. 中国戏剧, 2022(12): 75-77.
KANG H L.Keeping the Right and Opening the New: the Contemporary Inheritance and Innovation of Fujian Puppet Theater[J]. Chinese Drama, 2022(12): 75-77.
[23] 宋俊华. 中国古代戏剧服饰研究[M]. 广州: 广东高等教育出版社, 2011: 27-28.
SOGNG J H.Research on Ancient Chinese Drama Costumes[M]. Guangzhou: Guangdong Higher Education Press, 2011: 27-28.
PDF(2036 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/