The Dongguan Grass Zodiac Series (including the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, and Snake) centers on Dongguan's Dongguan Grass weaving techniques, integrating zodiac culture with cross-domain traditional symbols, representing an innovative practice in revitalizing local intangible cultural heritage. Adhering to the artistic style of "taking tradition as the bone and modernity as the wings," the design uses the natural and simple texture of Dongguan Grass as the base, extracts the essence of zodiac culture, and reconstructs forms with concise lines. It not only retains the authentic warmth of intangible cultural heritage but also adapts to modern aesthetics, achieving the integration of "intangible cultural heritage techniques + trendy aesthetics."
The creative concept focuses on "bringing Dongguan Grass intangible cultural heritage into daily life," breaking communication barriers through the universal empathy of zodiac culture. By integrating "Dongguan Grass + zodiac + cultural symbols," the ancient weaving technique is transformed from a "historical memory" into a "carrier of life," conveying traditional spirit and humanistic warmth, and exploring paths for the living inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.
In terms of form and structure, each zodiac sign has cultural echoes: the Ox demonstrates strength through tough lines; the Tiger balances majesty and trendiness with a neat shape; the Rabbit incorporates the Dunhuang "three rabbits sharing ears" motif to present agility; the Dragon replicates the Tang Dynasty "red gold walking dragon" to restore its charm; the Snake combines the character "巳" (si, the earthly branch corresponding to the Snake) with its body to convey a sense of continuity. Each shape is a weaving narrative of cultural symbols.
The material is centered on natural Dongguan Grass, with slight adjustments made according to the characteristics of each zodiac sign: the Ox and Tiger are reinforced for rigidity and shape retention; the Rabbit and Snake retain natural flexibility; the Dragon balances neatness and agility. The process follows "cultural research → design reconstruction → weaving and shaping," inheriting traditional techniques such as longitude-latitude interweaving and coiling. Craftsmen and designers collaborate to refine details, infusing the warmth of craftsmanship into the design, thus elevating Dongguan Grass from a raw material to a cultural carrier and realizing the modern rebirth of intangible cultural heritage techniques.
