The “bird standing on platform”: semiotic inquiry and humanistic interpretations centering on the Liangzhu bird totem

A semiotic analysis of the 'Bird Standing on Platform' inscriptions at Liangzhu City reveals profound cultural and symbolic significance, offering new insights into China's 5,000-year-old civilization. Using Charles S. Peirce’s triadic model—icon, index, and symbol—the study decodes materiality, social function, and cultural conventions embedded in these artifacts. This layered approach situates the findings within a dynamic process of representation, interpretation, and meaning, enriching our understanding of Liangzhu's cultural sophistication. The research underscores the global humanistic value of Liangzhu culture as a 'golden national emblem,' fostering cross-civilizational dialogue.

Guo, J., & Chen, Y. (2026). The “bird standing on platform”: semiotic inquiry and humanistic interpretations centering on the Liangzhu bird totem. Language and Semiotic Studies. https://doi.org/10.1515/lass-2025-0099