Transformation Pathways of Folk Symbols in Nanjing Museum Exhibitions and Their Relationship with Visitors’ Perception and Preferences

With the rapid development of the economy and profound changes in lifestyle, many folk cultural symbols rooted in regions and communities are gradually disappearing. As a bridge of cultural transmission, museums should go beyond mere object display and undertake the mission of “meaning transmission.” Based on Charles Sanders Peirce’s semiotic triadic relation of “Representamen, Object, and Interpretant,” this paper explores the transformation pathways of folk cultural symbols in museum exhibitions—from material form to spatial narrative—focusing on how to achieve effective conveyance of symbolic meanings. While preserving the original historical memory and cultural connotations of folk symbols, innovative exhibition design is used to stimulate their contemporary expression. Combined with audience research, the study analyzes the impact of different transformation modes on visitor cognition and preferences, thereby providing new theoretical perspectives and practical guidelines for folk culture exhibition design, and enhancing visitor experience and engagement.