Iconic Research Articles

Study on the Presentation of China's National Image in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of Hangzhou Asian Games from the Perspective of Semiotics

In the presentation of international image, shaping the country with the help of the language of cultural symbols has also become an important way of cross-cultural communication in today's era. The Hangzhou Asian Games has become a widely acclaimed event both at home and abroad, and one of its essences lies in the fact that it has skillfully borrowed many cultural symbols with consensus, realizing a high state of dialogue in the international communication arena.

The Dying Tradition of Kalesa Industry in the City of Laoag

The Kalesa, a traditional horse-drawn carriage, has been an iconic symbol of Filipino culture and heritage for centuries. However, in recent years, the once vibrant Kalesa industry in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, has been facing a steady decline. This research abstract aims to investigte the factors contributing to the demise of this traditional mode of transportation and its associated industry. Through a combination of qualitative interviews, this study examines the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental factors that have led to the dwindling presence of Kalesas in Laoag City. Furthermore, historical research was done to look at primary sources and secondary documents on the Kalesa’s contribution to the city’s growth, especially in terms of its local economy and distinctive features that let people appreciate its local color even more.

The Chinese Online Youth Subculture of the "Electronic Wooden Fish" A "Lying Flat" or A "Self-salvation ?"

Abstract: With the rapid development of the Internet, many products have undergone digitalization. The electronic wooden fish, for example, represents a virtual rendition of a religious instrument. In contemporary times, many Chinese youths encounter difficulties in coping with the intense competition prevalent in school entrance examinations and job markets. Also, their limited social recognition inhibits them from fully expressing their opinions in reality. Consequently, resorting to the electronic wooden fish serves as an outlet for these individuals. The youth tend to use the Internet as a means to alleviate stress, thereby giving rise to an online subculture among them. This article delves into the causes and effects of knocking on the virtual wooden fish. By collecting data from three social media platforms in China and conducting thorough analysis, it concludes by identifying three motivations behind knocking on the electronic wooden fish: seeking spiritual merits, relaxation purposes, and sharing experiences with others. These incentives can be explained through various aspects such as cultural symbolism within Chinas context, serving as a tool for decompression, and contributing to self-identity formation among users. Ultimately, this article argues that embracing the subculture surrounding Electronic wooden fish signifies Chinese youths pursuit of self-salvation, rather than lying flat.

Exploring tourist perceptions of calligraphic landscapes: Insights from social media text analysis

Calligraphic landscapes, as distinctive cultural symbols and landscapes with Chinese characteristics, are widely used in urban design, placemaking, and tourism promotion. In cultural heritage tourism, tourists’ perceptions of the symbolic meanings of landscapes significantly influence their travel experiences. This study primarily utilizes social media text analysis to explore the perceptual characteristics and symbolic meanings of calligraphic landscapes in different touristic contexts. Using Python tools, user-generated content was extracted from the Xiaohongshu app and analyzed with ROST CM6, VOSviewer, and NVivo 20 to conduct systematic quantitative and qualitative analyses, including content analysis, semantic network analysis, and co-occurrence clustering. The findings indicate that cultural exchanges on social media significantly enhance public perception of the symbolic meanings of touristic spaces. As online check-in behavior becomes increasingly popular, calligraphic landscapes have gained new esthetic-symbolic meanings among young tourists, becoming part of fashion culture and reflecting the digitalization of a sense of place. In addition, user-generated content reveals that tourists’ perceptions of calligraphic landscapes are intricately linked to place recognition, cultural symbolism, calligraphic appreciation, heritage value, and esthetic experiences. As a significant cultural symbol, calligraphic landscapes are frequently encountered during travel, with their symbolic meanings varying according to the surrounding environment, thereby influencing tourists’ preferences in diverse settings. Furthermore, this study proposes several innovative strategies for designing calligraphic landscapes. This research not only validates the feasibility of web text analysis for exploring the symbolic meanings of cultural landscapes but also enhances theoretical perspectives on how symbolic landscapes shape tourists’ psychological and behavioral responses.

Linguistic landscape in russian-speaking schools of Visaginas

The article describes the sociolinguistic situation in Visaginas, while also introducing the main theoretical provisions and terms of sociolinguistics (sociolinguistic situation, language policy, linguistic landscape, enculturation, etc.). The analytical part examines specific data – cultural signs compiled in the Russian-speaking schools in Visaginas – allowing the linguistic landscape to be examined through the lens of enculturation. The linguistic landscape analysis and the comparison approach were applied within the course of work. 1,142 units ‒ symbols of Russian and Lithuanian cultures compiled in three educational institutions with the Russian language of tuition – were analyzed. The material that had been classified in accordance with the groups (visual, complex, textual signs) allowed us to establish the predominance of the Lithuanian culture in the educational institutions of Visaginas Town. It also showed the presence of the signs of culture of different types.The importance of this research stems from the understudied language landscape, particularly in educational institutions. Furthermore, it should be noted that the educational linguistic environment of Visaginas has never been studied before.

Does Stork Conservation Incorporate Ecofeminist Narratives? Case Study of the Hargila Army in India

ABSTRACT Ecofeminism is theoretically diverse, as drawn from various ecofeminists who understand women-nature relationships differently. The common ground, however, is that they all draw on the concept of gender to understand this close relationship. This paper explores the ecofeminist view behind the mobilization of women for conservation, a subsequent reimagining of age-old stork-related myths and a reinterpretation of symbols of intangible culture, and an attempt at confronting the erstwhile anthropocentric nature of conservation. The qualitative case study focuses on the Hargila Army, a community-based conservation initiative in Dadara, Assam, primarily led by women, aiming to conserve the greater adjutant stork, locally known as Hargila. The rural women’s lived experiences with the stork and its habitat – trees and wetlands – transform the ecological and wildlife issue into a feminist one. There are varied ways embedded in tradition and culture through which they have been carrying out stork conservation. The research is significant for it addresses a research gap on women’s environmentalism in the context of Assam, which has been neglected in literature reviewed for the purpose. It also empirically contributes to the ongoing dialogue on ecofeminism in action.

Bridging Perceptual Gaps: Designers vs. Non-Designers in Urban Wayfinding Signage Preferences

As urban environments become increasingly complex and the costs and challenges of infrastructure upgrades continue to rise, wayfinding signage has become an effective solution to cope with urban dynamics due to its low cost and high flexibility. Although the functionality of wayfinding signage has been extensively studied, the perceptual differences between designers and non-designers have not been adequately explored. Ignoring these differences may lead to the overlooking of users’ real and diverse needs, resulting in suboptimal signage performance in practical applications and ultimately a reduction in the overall functionality and user experience of urban spaces. This study aims to bridge this perceptual gap. For this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey in China to compare the visual preferences of designers and non-designers regarding text, shape, color coding, and patterns. The results indicate that designers prioritize functionality and clarity to ensure the effective use of signage in complex urban environments, whereas non-designers prefer wayfinding signages that reflect local cultural symbols and characteristics. Our conclusions suggest that the public’s expectations for wayfinding signage extend beyond basic navigational functions, with an emphasis on cultural expression and visual appeal. Understanding these perceptual differences is crucial in developing design strategies that balance functionality, esthetics, and sustainability, thereby facilitating the sustainable integration of signage into urban landscapes.

A Study of Thing-Narrative in The Masque of the Red Death

The Masque of the Red Death is one of Edgar Allan Poe‘s most important works, which has been studied by numerous scholars from the perspectives of style, narrative aesthetics, and semiotics. However, the relevant interpretation to date has almost completely ignored the description of things in the novel. At present, there is an obvious “material turn” or “non-human turn” in the field of humanities research, that is, the research perspective turns to the “object” components that have been largely ignored in the past, including animals, plants, minerals, ecosystems, landscapes, places, etc. Therefore, from the perspective of the thing-narrative, combined with the social and historical background of the works, this paper analyzes Poe‘s use of thing-narrative techniques through close reading of the text. Through the in-depth analysis of the interaction between things and characters in the story, the author explains how castles, rooms, and ebony clocks, as cultural symbols, agents with subjectivity, exist as noumenon, influence or predict the fate of characters, and promote the development of the plot. And to further clarify Poe‘s theme in this novel - the inevitability of death.

The Trình Tường house of the Bố Y People in Vietnam: A Study on Cultural Heritage and Traditional Architecture

The Trình Tường house (similer Earthen-Walled house), a distinctive architectural form of the Bố Y people in Vietnam, has embodied both cultural and spiritual values, reflecting their ethnic identity. However, modernization, climate change, and the development of tourism have placed immense pressure on the preservation of this traditional architecture. This paper aims to analyze the cultural and architectural values of the Trình Tường house in the modern context while proposing solutions for its preservation and promotion as a cultural heritage. The research was based on qualitative methods, including field observation, semi-structured interviews with Bố Y community members, and comparative analysis of traditional architecture from other ethnic minorities in Southeast Asia and worldwide. The findings revealed that the Trình Tường house was not only a physical structure but also a cultural and spiritual symbol, connecting people with nature and belief systems. However, pressures from modernization and climate change have compromised the sustainability of this architecture. The study contributes to cultural ecology theory and offers specific policy recommendations for preserving the Trình Tường house, ensuring the Bố Y people’s cultural identity, and paves the way for future research on traditional architectural conservation in the current context.

The horse as a symbol of cultural identity and resistance in Kazakhstan’s colonial history

This article examines the history of Russian colonization in Kazakhstan, focusing on identity, resistance, and independence within Russia’s neo-imperial ambitions. It addresses the socio-political barriers in postcolonial Kazakhstan due to ties with Russia and explores how the Soviet migration policies shaped Kazakhstan’s demographic and political landscape. The study outlines the phases of Russian colonization, contrasting Russian narratives of a civilizing mission with Kazakh perspectives on exploitation and cultural erasure. Using postcolonial theory, it deconstructs these narratives and reveals power dynamics. Kazakh literature and poetry are analyzed as mediums of resistance, emphasizing the horse as a symbol of cultural identity. The article concludes by discussing the post-Soviet cultural transformations and the role of literature in nation-building, highlighting the importance of reclaiming cultural symbols and myths for understanding Kazakhstan’s colonial history and postcolonial transformation.

A Study of Thing-Narrative in The Masque of the Red Death

The Masque of the Red Death is one of Edgar Allan Poe‘s most important works, which has been studied by numerous scholars from the perspectives of style, narrative aesthetics, and semiotics. However, the relevant interpretation to date has almost completely ignored the description of things in the novel. At present, there is an obvious “material turn” or “non-human turn” in the field of humanities research, that is, the research perspective turns to the “object” components that have been largely ignored in the past, including animals, plants, minerals, ecosystems, landscapes, places, etc. Therefore, from the perspective of the thing-narrative, combined with the social and historical background of the works, this paper analyzes Poe‘s use of thing-narrative techniques through close reading of the text. Through the in-depth analysis of the interaction between things and characters in the story, the author explains how castles, rooms, and ebony clocks, as cultural symbols, agents with subjectivity, exist as noumenon, influence or predict the fate of characters, and promote the development of the plot. And to further clarify Poe‘s theme in this novel - the inevitability of death.

The formation of tea culture in British

When foreign people think of British culture nowadays, they can easily picture gentlemen and ladies elegantly dressed, surrounded by fine furniture and utensils, enjoying afternoon tea. The unique tea culture has already become a strong impression of Britain. This article explores the positioning of tea within the map of cultural differentiation, highlighting its status as a significant symbol of British culture, despite Britain not being its country of origin. The success of tea arose from the collision of Eastern and Western civilizations, with Chinese tea being introduced to Britain by Dutch merchant ships in the 17th century, marking its economic rise. The paper raises key questions about how tea transformed from an exotic product into a British cultural icon and whether the promotion of tea culture in Britain is mere imitation or rooted in local traditions. Additionally, it reviews research by Chinese and foreign scholars on British tea culture, focusing on the origins of tea culture in China, including the history of tea cultivation and consumption, and the evolution of tea culture in various dynasties. The second half describes in detail the thriving process of tea trade in Britain since the 17th century, the background of tea culture breaking the gender status and other restrictions in British society, and the different connotations and influences of tea culture in the British upper society and working class.

Research Progress of Bronze Ware Ornamentation in the Shang Dynasty of China

Bronze ware is an important representative of ancient Chinese culture, and the Shang Dynasty is the peak of China’s bronze casting technology. As an important symbol of ancient culture, the bronze ornaments of Shang Dynasty in China. Deeply reflect the religious belief, social structure and cultural value at that time. Through a systematic literature review of the origin, classification and evolution of the bronze ornament, this paper aims to deepen the understanding of the Shang Dynasty bronzes and their cultural connotation. Among the existing studies, the current research on Shang Dynasty bronze ornament mainly focuses on the categorization of ornament, its relationship with culture and the evolution rules. Specifically, the classification of bronze ornament is diverse and represents the different symbolic meanings. Shang Dynasty bronze ornaments are closely related to religious beliefs and social structures, and evolved over time. In general, these studies have enriched the cultural knowledge of Shang Dynasty bronzes, while some rare ornaments have been understudied and the research methods need to be further innovated. The significance of this study is clear: by examining Shang dynasty bronze ornament, it can increase people’s understanding of ancient Chinese religious culture and feudal social structure, and also contribute to the identification and conservation of modern bronzes. Future research can apply modern scientific and technological tools to further reveal the deeper connotations and historical value of Shang culture.

Merenden Tedong di Mamasa: Integrasi Pendekatan Struktural dan Kultural dalam Memitigasi Konflik Sosial Keagamaan

The Mamasa community has the Merenden Tedong tradition which is rooted in customary law as an effective conflict resolution model in resolving social problems. This tradition is deeply rooted and has become a unique cultural icon in overcoming social challenges and conflicts in society. The integration of this traditional approach with a formal approach from the government has strengthened the mechanism for mitigating socio-religious conflict in social life. This article aims to describe the integration between two conflict resolution models, namely the cultural approach through customary law and the structural approach through government policy, as an effort to mitigate socio-religious conflict in Mamasa. This research used a phenomenological analysis approach involving in-depth interviews. Informants consisted of traditional leaders, community leaders, government officials and community members to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Merenden Tedong tradition as a model for conflict resolution. This research found that the integration of cultural and structural approaches in the Merenden Tedong tradition contributed significantly to mitigating social and religious conflict. Collaboration between traditional institutions and the government strengthened the role of customary law in conflict prevention, proving that an integrative approach is more effective than a unilateral model. Further research is recommended to explore the role of the younger generation in maintaining the identity of Pitu Ulunna Salu as a conflict mitigation strategy. Keywords: Merenden Tedong, Conflict Resolution, Integrative Approach, Mamasa

‘Discursive Interpretations of Cultural Symbols in Mega Sporting Events: The Case of Messi’s Bisht at the 2022 World Cup’

This study examines the dominant narratives and media frames surrounding the moment when football celebrity Lionel Messi wore a bisht during the World Cup 2022 crowning ceremony. Employing a frame analysis approach, the research seeks to uncover the discursive meanings tied to this moment, which is heightened by national identity and nationalism in the context of globalized sport across international media platforms. A corpus of 25, 208 words from 59 online news articles was analyzed. At a macro level, the articles were largely framed within themes of conflict, controversy, criticism, and public and media reactions. The findings, which include specific cultural, national, political, economic, and identity frames, offer valuable insights into the complexities of globalization, nationalism, and cosmopolitanism in mega sporting events. Through discursive interpretations, this study provides a nuanced understanding of cultural exchange and identity issues in the globalized world of sports. Global media portrayed Messi’s bisht moment both positively (as a symbol of honor and respect) and negatively (as an instance of identity exploitation for cultural publicity). The study also reveals that Qatar was perceived as leveraging the event for national branding. Notably, nationalism and ideologies emerge as critical factors in media framing of mega sporting events.

The Empathetic Communication of the Panda Symbol on the National Image and its Triggering Mechanism

In recent years, as China's influence continues to grow, more and more cultural symbols have begun to attract the attention of audiences at home and abroad, the most typical of which is the "panda". This article takes the dissemination of the national image by the "panda" symbol as the starting point, and analyzes the basis behind it - empathy communication and its generation mechanism. At the same time, it summarizes the main means by which contemporary empathy communication promotes the "panda" symbol to express the national image, in order to promote better cross-cultural expression of the "panda" symbol in the future.

Implications of the "Online Ojek Jacket" Symbol on the Culture of Solidarity of the Online Ojek Community D.I Yogyakarta

The online motorcycle taxi community in Yogyakarta Province has been recognized by the wider community with a strong culture of solidarity between fellow online drivers, and the culture of solidarity among online motorcycle taxis can be said to be well established until now. Then the results of this study are related to the implications of the online motorcycle taxi jacket symbol on the culture of solidarity of the Yogyakarta online motorcycle taxi community. And the results are as follows (1) The symbol of the online motorcycle taxi jacket gives the meaning that when the jacket has been used by individuals to work on the road, the individual has a strong attitude and sense of solidarity towards fellow online motorcycle taxis who are on the road. (2) The inherited symbol is a symbol of solidarity culture and although maybe one to another is not very familiar but interestingly when they have met on the road the online ojek have an attitude of helping each other (strong empathy) fellow online ojek.

Sanitary segregation imposed by Big Brother – a Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis of Grzegorz Braun’s radical anti-vaccine rhetoric

ABSTRACT The coronavirus pandemic greatly impacted political communication. Operating within the framework of Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis, this paper discusses the discursive strategies of Grzegorz Braun, one of the leaders of the Confederation Liberty and Independence – a Polish coalition of right-wing parties – by investigating 97 YouTube thumbnails and video titles. The present paper offers an in-depth investigation of Braun’s radical and anti-vaccine discourse, focusing on both the verbal and visual components, and how they form a coherent meaning. The findings indicate that Braun’s main strategy was to instill a sense of fear and danger. Similarly to other right-wing populists, Braun created narratives that the pandemic was a conspiracy crafted by global elites and that the vaccines were a tool for controlling society. However, Braun did not just copy the discourse of other politicians, but adjusted his message to the viewers, as he would make frequent references to the People’s Republic of Poland and compared the Polish government to communists. Overall, while Braun’s message was rather straightforward, the politician used a large variety of semiotic choices, focusing on potent cultural symbols, size, color, as well as intensification and predication strategies.

Culture and Social Movements: The Example of South Africa in the Post-Apartheid Period

This paper explores the intricate relationship between culture and social movements in post-apartheid South Africa through a critical phenomenological approach. This method focuses on the lived experiences and societal impacts of these movements, revealing how cultural symbols, narratives, religious frameworks, sports, media, and identity have shaped and sustained the struggles for justice and equality. The analysis begins by defining social movements and culture, emphasizing their interplay within the South African context. Using a phenomenological approach developed by Husserl and expanded by Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and Sartre, this study undertakes steps such as phenomenological reduction, description, essence identification, and structural analysis. These steps are further enriched by combining critical theory with phenomenology, highlighting social, historical, and political dimensions. This approach allows for an in-depth understanding of how culture, encompassing cognitive, emotional, and moral components, influences the formation, strategies, and sustainability of social movements. Key findings illustrate that cultural elements have served as sources of resistance, empowerment, and solidarity, playing an essential role in shaping collective identities and actions. Ultimately, this research provides a comprehensive analysis of the dynamic interplay between culture and social movements in South Africa, underscoring the importance of cultural resources in driving social change.

Study on digital textile information and 3D virtual simulation of Chinese Qing Dynasty Lu-silk Apron

The Qing Dynasty Lu-silk Apron in the Shanxi Folk Museum is a representative example of the traditional Chinese Apron, with profound cultural and aesthetic connotations regarding pattern type, colour application, and process techniques. Nevertheless, a minimal survey has been done on the Qing Dynasty Lu-silk Apron. The study aimed to discuss the exquisite textile techniques and artistic features of the Qing Dynasty Lu-silk Apron and analyse the social system, humanistic sentiment, cultural symbolism, and intelligent thinking at multiple levels through style types, size analysis, colour interpretation, pattern expression techniques, and skill production. In this article, we also used the popular simulation technology to restore the Qing Dynasty Lu-silk Apron and provide a new way and path to study other ancient costumes.