From Myth to Visual Symbol: Semiotic Analysis of Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea in Penglai Folk Paper-Cutting

Abstract

This study examines the symbolic and cultural meanings of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea window-paper cutting from Penglai, Shandong. As a representative work of Shandong folk art, it reflects the region’s integration of myth, belief, and visual expression. The research aims to explore how the visual form, compositional language, and symbolic imagery of this paper-cutting transform a traditional Taoist myth into a meaningful system of visual communication.
Using semiotic and iconographic methods, the study analyzes the work’s symbolic structure and semantic content. The eight immortals and related motifs—such as phoenix, cloud, willow, and longevity peach—construct a rich network of visual symbols that express moral virtue, cosmic harmony, and collective blessing. The circular composition and rhythmic arrangement embody the Shandong aesthetic of fullness and balance, translating mythological transcendence into familiar cultural signs.
The findings show that this folk paper-cutting converts myth into visual communication through three main processes: symbolic simplification, compositional harmony, and cultural recontextualization. It functions not only as decoration but also as a living medium of belief and moral education. The research highlights how Shandong folk art transforms intangible spiritual heritage into enduring visual language, contributing to the preservation and revitalization of local culture.