A Study on Symbolic Expression and Auspicious Concepts in Shandong Folk Paper-Cut Patterns of Shoe Insoles: A Semiotic Analysis
List of Authors
Guo Yue Tong, Neesa Ameera Mohamed Salim
Keyword
Paper Cutting; Pattern; Symbolic Analysis; Cultural Heritage
Abstract
Shandong folk shoe insole paper-cutting patterns, as a visual form integrating folk paper-cutting art with embroidery craftsmanship, embody rich and enduring cultural symbolism. Existing research primarily examines their craft characteristics or folk functional aspects, while relatively less attention has been paid to the internal mechanisms through which their visual symbols generate auspicious meanings. This paper, grounded in semiotic theory, introduces Saussure's “signifier-signified” relationship and related concepts of meaning stratification to conduct a systematic analysis of typical pictorial symbols in Shandong folk shoe-pad pattern paper-cutting. Through case studies of motifs such as butterflies, lotus flowers, bats, goldfish, phoenixes, and magpies, it reveals the logic of meaning construction formed through their stylized forms, compositional relationships, and cultural contexts. The study concludes that these patterns transcend mere ornamentation; through conventional symbolic coding, they translate popular aspirations for happiness, prosperity, longevity, and marital harmony into visual expressions. This research deepens our understanding of the symbolic nature of Shandong folk paper-cutting art and provides theoretical reference for the contemporary adaptation of traditional folk visual resources.