STUDY ON ARTISTIC VISUALIZATION OF CHAOSHAN GUO MOLDS CULTURE UNDER THE THEORY OF SEMIOTICS

Abstract

As image carriers of Lingnan traditional culture, Chaoshan guo molds display both extensive themes and diverse forms in their pattern symbol system. From a semiotic perspective, guo molds are not only material tools for food preparation but also cultural symbols that embody the collective memory of the Chaoshan people. Their pattern symbols deeply reflect the region’s unique folk cognitive schema and mechanisms of cultural inheritance. Based on Peirce’s triadic semiotic theory, this study systematically deconstructs the composite signification system of iconic signs, indexical signs, and symbolic signs in guo mold art, and further explores the visual translation of these signs in contemporary cultural reproduction.

As daily utensils that integrate functionality and aesthetics, guo molds possess symbolic value in three dimensions: first, the practical dimension; second, the artistic dimension; and third, the cultural dimension. This characteristic of "conveying ideology through utensils" makes guo molds a representative example for observing the folk creative philosophy and regional aesthetic consciousness of Chaoshan. Although traditional wooden kueh molds currently face the challenge of a shrinking application scope, their symbolic role in constructing cultural identity remains irreplaceable. This study advocates for the contemporary translation of guo mold symbolic elements using design anthropology methods: retaining the core cultural genes during the symbol extraction stage, and integrating modern carriers such as food experience design and digital media communication in the application innovation stage. Ultimately, this approach enables the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional craftsmanship. This inheritance strategy not only preserves the authenticity of folk art but also revitalizes its capacity to engage with modern life, providing a paradigmatic reference for the living inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.

Empirical research shows that interactive visualization significantly enhances users’ understanding of the symbolic meaning of patterns, stimulates participants’ active communication, and that young groups tend to strengthen cultural identity through "symbolic re-creation." The innovation of this study lies in constructing a semiotic analysis framework for kueh molds, proposing a semantics-driven digital translation paradigm, and promoting the transformation of guo molds from regional heritage to a global cultural symbol, thereby providing theoretical and practical references for the living inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.

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