From Intangible Heritage to Structured Data: A Sustainable Digital Cultural Knowledge of Zhuang Brocade Patterns

Abstract

Zhuang brocade is an important representative of China’s intangible cultural heritage, serving not only as a traditional textile craft but also as a vivid carrier of the Zhuang people’s history, beliefs, and cultural identity. However, rapid industrialisation and modernisation have posed significant challenges to its preservation, while its transmission continues to rely heavily on the oral traditions of experienced artisans. Although previous studies have examined the history, patterns, and preservation of Zhuang brocade, few have systematically organised its patterns into a structured digital repository. Such a repository is essential for pattern classification, academic research, and contemporary creative applications. To address this gap, this study integrates visual semiotics and cultural memory theory as its theoretical framework. All are under research: 1. Systematically analyze the structure and meaning of Zhuang brocade patterns. 2. Digitize Zhuang brocade patterns and construct a pattern classification model. 3. Evaluate the pattern classification model by experts. This study employed qualitative research methods, including the use of “root mean square” (RMS) and “red-green-blue” (RGB) approaches to analyze pattern characteristics. From the initial analysis, the author constructed a pattern classification model based on pattern structure, color distribution, creation difficulty, and the cultural and symbolic meanings they carry. Finally, the author conducted semi-structured interviews with five experts, including one national-level inheritor, two municipal-level inheritors, and two pattern designers, to evaluate the constructed Zhuang brocade classification model. The research results show that Zhuang brocade patterns express the collective memory, beliefs, and cultural identity of the Zhuang people through geometric structures and stylized patterns. A Zhuang brocade patterns classification model was created and evaluated. Expert evaluation indicates that the systematic approach to classify Zhuang patterns helps protect intangible cultural heritage and serves as a resource for modern cultural and creative design, making it valuable for both academic research and industry transformation. This study connects the preservation of traditional Zhuang brocade with its modern use, creating a structured classification model for keeping the craft alive and bringing new ideas to it.

Highlights
• Systematically analyzed Zhuang brocade patterns using RMS and RGB methods to decode structure, color distribution, and symbolic meaning.
• Constructed a four-dimensional digital database integrating pattern structure, color, creation difficulty, and cultural significance.
• Expert validation confirms its value for graded heritage protection, academic research, and contemporary design innovation.