Gene Extraction and Design Transformation of Nuo Culture from the Perspective of Memetics: A Case Study of Gan Nuo Masks

Nuo culture, as a significant part of China's intangible cultural heritage, holds profound historical and cultural value.However, with the acceleration of modernization, its cultural heritage faces challenges in both preservation and innovation.This study, based on memetic theory, analyzes 180 samples of Gan Nuo masks.Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), 20 evaluation expertscomprising five mask makers, five cultural heritage experts, five design professionals, and five cultural product users-were organized to assess and construct an evaluation system encompassing five dimensions and 25 indicators, identifying Gan Nuo masks as the most representative strong cultural meme.The results indicate that explicit factors (weight: 2.646) significantly outweigh implicit factors (weight: 0.378) in cultural gene evaluation.Among explicit factors, morphological factors carry the highest overall weight (47.683%), with specific mask images (C11) demonstrating the strongest cultural recognition (composite weight: 26.515%).This is followed by facial features (30.997%), particularly the flaming eyebrows (C21) element (composite weight: 11.766%), which showed significant performance in design transformation.Color factors (16.171%), especially C41 (composite weight: 8.464%), are highly symbolic of cultural identity.Although pattern factors (5.150%) carry a relatively lower weight, specific patterns (C35) (composite weight: 3.227%) possess unique value in detailed design.These quantitative results provide a clear priority framework for the design transformation of mask cultural elements.The study demonstrates that memetic theory offers a feasible theoretical foundation and methodological framework for the design transformation of traditional culture, contributing to the sustainable inheritance and development of Gan Nuo culture.The practical implications indicate that systematically integrating these quantified cultural elements into modern design can effectively enhance cultural identity and product market competitiveness, making traditional culture more relevant in contemporary contexts.