Symbolic Research on “Water God†Image in Paper-Charms of Yunnan

Abstract

The paper-charms of Yunnan as a kind of unique woodcut printmaking of Chinese folk cultural heritage, is a widespread phenomenon of folk culture in Yunnan minority areas, and also is the product of the folk beliefs activities for a long time. The paper-charms as a communication with god for folk beliefs, reflect the inherent spirit of people through the image of the external outline, which along with the unique, rustic, rough mad styling with local artistic features of the native character and unique aesthetic sense. The unique image style not only reflects the rich spiritual connotation of Yunnan minority Ethnic people, but also demonstrated the metaphysical meaning of religious folk art. But there are more multiple meanings of portraying water god image in the nature worship, from the religious connotation, the images dragon style reflects the special features of water dragon king divinity; from the folk belief, the images figurative dragon image reflected reverence of the dragon in Bai nationality; from the semiotic perspective, abstract dragon Patron hold more symbolic symbolism. With these multiple meanings, the shape of the paper charms reflects the rich spiritual appearance of the local people, and the common folk beliefs and speculation special significance.