Research of Aesthetic Value for Enhancing Tujia Ethnic Costumes as a Cultural Symbol in Shizhu County

The formation, transformation, and development of Tujia ethnic costumes are influenced by various macro factors such as different natural environments, modes of production, and political histories. Additionally, they are shaped by local customs, religious beliefs, and ethnic characteristics, which are cultural factors. Therefore, studying Tujia ethnic costumes aids in a clearer understanding and analysis of Tujia ethnic culture and its unique aesthetics. It also serves as significant artistic material for research on Tujia culture. The present study employs literature analysis, field investigation, and interdisciplinary research as its methodologies, to promote the exchange of knowledge between different disciplines and stimulate innovative thinking. While utilizing John Dewey's seven dimensions of aesthetic theory as a research tool for analyzing aesthetic values, these seven dimensions combine emotional experience and specific factual factors, which are very suitable for the study of Tujia without their own national characters. The objective is to analyze the aesthetic value and connotations of the local Tujia clothing in order to enhance the recognition of local Tujia clothing culture, which is beneficial for the protection and inheritance of this cultural heritage. The findings reveal that the local Tujia community continues to uphold their original marriage customs, agricultural festival traditions, and cultural relics associated with the Tusi culture, with corresponding attire identified within these cultural practices. Specifically, these include the Dew Suit, the attire of the elderly, and the relics of Qin Liangyu. Consequently, this study conducts a thorough analysis of these three types of attire, summarizing and extracting their intrinsic connotations and specific visual characteristics, thus contributing to new knowledge as cultural symbols