Week 3 Readings

2. The Motif-to-Meaning Toolkit (use in 3 steps)

Step 1: Name what you see (motif vocabulary)

• animals (dragon, phoenix, fish, crane)

• plants (lotus, peony, plum, bamboo)

• landscapes (mountains, waves, clouds)

• geometric borders (key-fret/meander, diapers, ruyi heads)

Step 2: Describe the layout (how it’s organised)

• bands (horizontal rings)

• panels/cartouches (framed scenes)

• central medallion (one focal motif)

• all-over pattern (repeating texture)

Step 3: Interpret carefully (meaning = hypothesis)
Use cautious language:

• “may suggest…”, “often associated with…”, “could imply…”
  Avoid absolutes:

• not “this definitely means…”, not “this proves…”