Decoding Hakka Traditional Dwellings Decoration: A Semiotic Framework for Artistic Characteristics and Multidimensional Cultural Values
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Abstract
This study explored the decorative art of Hakka traditional dwellings through a semiotic perspective to identify their artistic features and cultural significance. Rooted in the vernacular traditions of Hakka communities in northeastern Guangdong, western Fujian, and southern Jiangxi, these decorations reflected ecological adaptation, Confucian and Fengshui principles, and clan-based social systems. The research adopted qualitative methods, including literature review, fieldwork in representative villages, and expert interviews, and applied Peirce’s triadic semiotic theory to classify decorative symbols into iconic, indexical, and symbolic types. A cultural value framework was also developed to reveal the historical, social, aesthetic, and spiritual dimensions of these decorations. The findings showed that Hakka decorations form a symbolic language that expresses cultural identity and collective memory. This study provided a reference for preserving intangible cultural heritage and offered practical insights for applying traditional motifs in contemporary design.
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