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

Robes from Tomb No. 1 at Mashan, Jingzhou, representative artifacts of the ancient Chu state, encode a hierarchical symbolic system. Using semiotics and textual exegesis of the Chu Ci alongside excavated bamboo slips, the analysis of three motif categories—divine symbols, cosmic imagery, and botanical patterns—reveals that the decorative patterns convey Chu cosmology, ritual practices, and aspirations for longevity. This finding bridges textual religious records and material cultural relics, providing a foundation for studying cross-cultural transmission of Chu heritage.

Study at a glance

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.