THE AESTHETIC DIMENSION OF YUNNAN CANGYUAN ROCK PAINTINGS: AN EMPIRICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR ARTS EDUCATION

ABSTRACT Background: The Cangyuan Rock Paintings, among the most meticulously preserved and vast rock art collections in China, provide critical insights into early human civilisation, social hierarchies, spiritual beliefs, and aesthetic values. This research aims to analyse the intricate relationships between spiritual symbols, cultural narratives, philosophical insights, and historical significance present in the Yunnan Cangyuan Rock Paintings. Methods: This research examines the impact of ancient cultural heritage, holy iconography, indigenous aesthetics, and the enduring influence of Chinese art traditions on contemporary perceptions of art and identity through prehistoric images. The investigation concentrated on four components: spiritual, symbolic, cultural, philosophical, and historical dimensions. Structured interviews were performed with 35 specialists in the domains of Cangyuan rock painting art history, archaeology, cultural studies, and education. Responses were measured on a Likert scale, and the data were analysed with SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a chi-square test was utilised to investigate the relationships between expert discipline and variable emphasis across aspects. Results: Findings reveal that archaeology professionals prioritised spiritual aspects (χ² = 9.47, p < 0.05), particularly concerning terrestrial existence and shamanistic traditions, whereas educators and cultural theorists placed greater emphasis on cultural and philosophical factors. Indigenous aesthetics and philosophy received the highest citation, with an 82% consensus. Historical variables demonstrated uniform acknowledgement across all fields, affirming their essential importance in the interpretation of the paintings. Conclusion: The findings indicated disciplinary differences in focus while confirming the multifaceted cultural and historical significance of the Cangyuan Rock Paintings.