The Stylistic Genealogy of Yunnan’s Tile Cats: Belief, Identity, and Cultural Adaptation

Abstract

This study conducts a genealogical analysis of the Yunnan Tile Cat, a distinctive form of Chinese folk art. Its stylistic history is dynamic rather than linear, shaped by interactions among local beliefs, ethnic identities, market forces, and artisan agency. Moving beyond traditional typologies, a genealogical method is applied to situate its evolution within interconnected systems of belief, identity, aesthetic commodification, and cultural adaptation. Based on extensive fieldwork and multi-source textual analysis, five stylistic nodes are identified: Primal/Expressive, Fierce/Exaggerated, Refined/Decorative, Regional Variants, and Modern Interpretations. These nodes coexist and overlap, showing how communities use material culture to express beliefs, affirm identities, and adapt to cultural and socio-economic change. The findings deepen scholarly understanding of folk art as a contested cultural field and offer practical guidance for heritage conservation and sustainable cultural tourism. The proposed genealogical framework provides designers and artisans with a tool to innovate while preserving cultural authenticity, ensuring the Tile Cat tradition remains a living, adaptive cultural symbol.