THE CULTURAL SYMBOLISM AND IDENTITY OF HUAYAO DAI TRADITIONAL CLOTHING PATTERNS - AN ANALYTICAL STUDY BASED ON COMMUNITY LIFRSTYLE AND VALUES

Abstract

The Huayao Dai people of Yunnan Province, China, are renowned for their vibrant and intricate traditional clothing, which contains rich cultural and symbolic significance. This paper analyzes the patterns and motifs found in Huayao Dai's traditional attire, exploring how they reflect the community’s lifestyle, beliefs, and values. Drawing upon quantitative and qualitative research methods including field observations, interviews, and surveys the study systematically investigates the artistic elements and cultural connotations embedded in these patterns. The findings indicate that Huayao Dai clothing motifs profoundly convey cultural identity yet face severe challenges from globalization and modernization. From a sustainability perspective, this paper proposes strategies for preserving and revitalizing these valuable cultural resources, advocating for integrating traditional motifs into contemporary creative product design to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.