Iconographic Analysis of the Dragon Mother Sacred Festival Banners - A Case Study of Dragon Mother Worship in Wendeng, Weihai, Shandong Province

As a form of national intangible cultural heritage, the Longmu Sacred Assembly has received considerable scholarly attention. However, most existing studies have focused on the origins of Longmu, her associated belief system, and the transmission of filial piety culture. Research grounded in iconographic theory regarding the constituent elements of the Longmu Sacred Assembly remains limited. In particular, there is a notable absence of iconographic analysis concerning the banners (幡旗) used in the Longmu Sacred Assembly in the Wendeng region of Shandong.This study, based on iconographic theory, takes the “contextual” form of the Longmu Sacred Assembly banners as a point of entry. It analyzes the secularized characteristics of the star deity (星宿) banner style, the chromatic order and implications within the banner imagery, and the relationship between Fulu (符箓) symbols and the evolution of Chinese characters, as well as the symbolic significance of non-verbal forms of expression.Secondly, this study reveals the integration of diverse cultural elements inherent in the Longmu belief system. The iconography of the banners synthesizes core ideas from the major religions of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, while also incorporating astronomical and stellar symbols and elements from traditional theatrical arts. This multifaceted and syncretic religious-cultural integration reflects the artistic creativity and worldview (“Tianxia view” 天下觀) of the local population in Wendeng from the 19th to early 20th century.Lastly, this study examines the metaphorical narratives embedded in the banners of the Longmu Sacred Assembly and analyzes the underlying ideological and political didacticism. Through this, it aims to elucidate the social structures underlying the Longmu faith. By interrogating the socio-cultural dimensions of the banners, the study explores the ways in which popular belief and state ideology are interwoven through metaphor and symbolic pedagogy.On this basis, the research fills an academic gap in the study of visual expressions within local folk belief systems and provides both theoretical grounding and material foundation for future scholarly inquiries.