Inspiration from the evolution of chinese folk auspicious symbols “Fu” and “Xi” for modern book design

Abstract

This study compares the symbols “Fu” (fortune) and “Xi” (happiness), analyzing their evolutionary differences over long-term use from the perspective of folk functions. It proposes two pathway models: “symbolic expansion” and “symbolic cohesion,” and explores their implications for the visual translation mechanisms of contemporary book design. The study emphasizes that changes in symbolic form stem from cultural functional needs, rather than simply formal evolution.