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Shamanic Symbolism in the Robe Patterns of the Chu State: A Semiotic and Archaeological Study

Liangying Zeng, Zongyu Xie, Yuyan Wang, Siyuan Zhang, Lifen Gao
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21013/jems.v22.n2.p1
Abstract
The robes unearthed from Tomb No. 1 at Mashan, Jingzhou, serve as typical representative artifacts of the ancient Chu state. Existing academic research has predominantly focused on the textile technology and stylistic evolution of these robes, yet the shamanic symbolism implied in their decorative patterns has long been insufficiently explored. To fill this research gap, this study adopts a semiotic approach, integrating textual exegesis of the Chu Ci with evidence from excavated bamboo slips. Through a systematic analysis of three core motif categories—divine symbols, cosmic imagery, and botanical patterns—the research reveals a hierarchical symbolic system that encodes the Chu state’s cosmology, ritual practices, and aspirations for longevity. These findings not only bridge the gap between textual religious records and material cultural relics but also lay a solid foundation for further research on the cross-cultural transmission of Chu heritage.
Keywords
Shamanic Symbolism; Chu State Robe Patterns; Semiotic Study; Archaeological Study.
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