1. Introduction

Ceramic incense burners, one of the treasures of Chinese culture, have a long history that dates back thousands of years. They hold a significant place in daily life and serve as vital mediums for carrying and promoting the essence of national culture. The selection and application of patterns in the design and production of ceramic incense burners often embody profound cultural connotations and aesthetic pursuits. Among these, the Baoxiang flower, a unique traditional pattern, occupies an important position in the design of ceramic incense burners due to its exquisite form and rich symbolism.

The Baoxiang flower, also known as the Baoxian flower or Baolian flower, has its origins in Buddhist art and gradually became integrated into traditional Chinese culture. It combines the characteristics of various flowers such as peonies, lotuses, and pomegranates, and is depicted through the skilled craftsmanship of artists, forming a distinctive and charming pattern. The Baoxiang flower not only holds high artistic value but also embodies auspiciousness, beauty, and prosperity, making it beloved by many.

In the design of ceramic incense burners, the application of the Baoxiang flower has a long history and diverse forms. Whether in ancient ceramics or modern ceramic artworks, the Baoxiang flower, with its unique artistic charm and cultural connotations, adds endless brilliance to ceramic incense burners. It may appear as the main pattern, running throughout the entire design of the vessel, or as a decorative element, adorning a specific part of the vessel and complementing the overall design. In any form, the application of the Baoxiang flower enhances the artistic and cultural value of ceramic incense burners beyond their practical utility.

However, with the changing times and evolving aesthetic concepts, an important current challenge is how to innovate on the traditional foundation, making the Baoxiang flower radiate new vitality in ceramic incense burner design. Therefore, this paper aims to deeply explore the application of the Baoxiang flower in ceramic incense burner design, analyze its artistic characteristics and cultural connotations, and discuss the possibilities for its innovative application by combining modern design concepts and aesthetic trends. It is hoped that this research can provide new design ideas and methods for ceramic incense burner designers, promoting innovation and development in ceramic incense burner design.

2. Historical Evolution and Cultural Connotation of Baoxiang Flower

2.1. Historical Evolution

The Baoxiang flower, its origins rooted in Buddhist art, initially appeared as a decorative motif for Buddha statues and Bodhisattvas. With the widespread dissemination and deep development of Buddhist culture, the Baoxiang flower gradually integrated into the essence of traditional Chinese art, becoming an indispensable decorative element in ceramics, brocade, embroidery, and other crafts. Particularly in the field of ceramic art, the Baoxiang flower, with its unique artistic charm and profound cultural connotations, has become a common decorative motif on ceramic vessels.

The historical evolution of the Baoxiang flower can be summarized in the following key stages:

Origin and Early Development

The Baoxiang flower, tracing its origin to Buddhist art, initially appeared as a decorative motif for Buddha statues and Bodhisattvas. It absorbed the essence of various flowers, and through meticulous artistic processing and combination, it eventually formed a unique pattern design.

During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, with the widespread dissemination and popularity of Buddhist culture, the Baoxiang flower pattern began to occupy an important position in the decorative art of grottoes and gained wide application. Particularly in the lotus patterns of the Northern Dynasties, the characteristics of the Baoxiang flower were especially prominent. Its realistic shape and multi-layered radial arrangement design showcased its unique artistic charm.

Flourishing in the Sui and Tang Dynasties:

During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Baoxiang flower pattern underwent significant development and innovation. Its design ingeniously integrated the essence of various flowers such as lotus, peony, and chrysanthemum. Through artistic processing, the Baoxiang flower pattern exhibited richer and more colorful combinations and variations.

In this period, the Baoxiang flower pattern permeated a wide range of artistic fields, including gold and silverware, ceramics, and textiles, becoming a highly popular decorative motif. Especially during the Tang Dynasty, the Baoxiang flower pattern reached its peak in popularity, widely applied in silk fabrics, handicrafts, and architectural decorations, demonstrating its unique artistic charm and historical significance.

Continuation and Evolution through the Song, Liao, Jin, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties:

After the Song Dynasty, the Baoxiang flower continued to hold a prominent place in the art world. Its form and connotation evolved with the times, gradually adapting to and integrating with the aesthetic standards of each era. During the Song, Liao, Jin, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, the Baoxiang flower was more frequently recorded as a decorative pattern for clothing and accessories (Baoxiang floral pattern), thus becoming an indispensable element in traditional culture [1].

Modern Innovation and Development:

In modern society, the Baoxiang flower, as a treasure of traditional Chinese patterns, continues to maintain its unique charm and value. Designers, utilizing modern design concepts and exquisite craftsmanship, have conducted in-depth interpretations and innovations of the Baoxiang flower, bringing new vitality to it in contemporary art design. In the design of modern art pieces such as ceramic incense burners, the application of the Baoxiang flower has been further expanded and deepened, providing valuable practice for the inheritance and innovation of traditional culture.

Overall, the historical evolution of the Baoxiang flower is a process that spans from its origins to its widespread popularity, and from continuous inheritance and evolution to the integration of modern innovation and development. This process not only reflects the eternal pursuit of beauty and auspiciousness in traditional Chinese culture but also highlights the spirit of the Chinese nation in continuously exploring and daring to innovate in artistic forms.

2.2. Cultural Connotation

The Baoxiang flower combines the characteristics of various flowers through artistic processing and combination, forming a unique pattern. It symbolizes auspiciousness, beauty, and prosperity, and is one of the important auspicious symbols in traditional Chinese culture. In the design of ceramic incense burners, the application of the Baoxiang flower not only reflects the inheritance and promotion of traditional culture but also embodies people’s yearning for and pursuit of a beautiful life. The cultural connotations of the Baoxiang flower are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Symbolizing Auspiciousness and Good Fortune:

As one of the traditional auspicious patterns of the Han people, the most direct cultural connotation of the Baoxiang flower is its symbolism of auspiciousness and good fortune. It is usually composed of several flowers, each with its own auspicious meaning, such as the wealth represented by the peony and the purity represented by the lotus. Together, they symbolize peace, good luck, and prosperity [2].

Embodying Harmony and Moderation:

The harmonious coexistence of different flowers in the composition of the Baoxiang flower pattern embodies the essence of traditional Chinese cultural concepts such as “harmony” and “moderation.” It advocates the harmonious coexistence of different elements and the pursuit of overall balance and coordination, reflecting the cultural tradition of the Chinese people who value harmony.

Representing Purity and Nobility:

Elements such as the lotus, which often appear in the Baoxiang flower, are regarded as symbols of purity and auspiciousness in Buddhist culture. Therefore, the Baoxiang flower is also seen as a symbol of purity and nobility, representing qualities of unblemished purity and elegant nobility.

Integrating Diverse Cultures:

The Baoxiang flower combines the characteristics of various flowers through artistic processing and combination, forming a unique pattern. This fusion not only reflects the inclusive and diverse spirit of traditional Chinese culture but also demonstrates the Chinese nation’s ability to absorb and incorporate excellent elements from other cultures in their artistic creations.

Expressing Beautiful Visions:

The patterns and meanings of the Baoxiang flower reflect people’s yearning for and pursuit of a beautiful life. It symbolizes wealth, prosperity, happiness, and longevity, and is an important way for people to express their emotions and blessings in daily life.

Inheriting National Culture:

As an important component of traditional Chinese decorative patterns, the Baoxiang flower carries rich cultural connotations and a profound historical heritage. Its development and evolution throughout history not only demonstrate the continuous innovation and progress of the Chinese nation in the field of cultural arts but also serve as a significant medium for carrying and inheriting national culture [3].

In summary, the cultural connotations of the Baoxiang flower are diverse and rich, encompassing auspicious meanings such as good fortune and harmony, as well as qualities of purity, nobility, and cultural fusion. It symbolizes people’s aspirations for a better life and is an important artistic form for inheriting and promoting national culture.

3. Application of Baoxiang Flower in Ceramic Incense Burner Design

3.1. Design Principles

When applying the Baoxiang flower in ceramic incense burner design, the following principles should be adhered to: First, it is essential to maintain the artistic features and cultural connotations of the Baoxiang flower, avoiding simple imitation and replication. Second, it is crucial to incorporate modern aesthetic trends and design concepts to innovate and apply the Baoxiang flower. Finally, there should be an emphasis on combining practicality and aesthetics, ensuring that the ceramic incense burners possess both cultural connotations and artistic value while meeting the daily use needs of people.

In maintaining the artistic features and cultural connotations of the Baoxiang flower, its original form should be respected. During the design process, the original shape and features of the Baoxiang flower should be preserved, avoiding excessive deformation or simplification, to retain its unique artistic charm and cultural value.

Regarding the transmission of cultural connotations, the Baoxiang flower, as a traditional cultural element, symbolizes auspiciousness, beauty, and prosperity. In the design, its cultural connotations should be deeply explored, and through the composition of patterns, colors, and expression techniques, the auspicious meanings embodied by the Baoxiang flower should be conveyed. Combining modern aesthetic trends and design concepts, while maintaining the traditional features of the Baoxiang flower, modern design elements such as minimalist styles and geometric shapes can be incorporated to make the design works more contemporary and modern. In terms of composition, color, and materials, innovative designs should be explored to find new forms of expression for the Baoxiang flower in ceramic incense burners, meeting the aesthetic needs of modern people [4].

Emphasizing the combination of practicality and aesthetics, the design of ceramic incense burners should fully consider their practicality, such as size, shape, and weight, to ensure that users feel comfortable and convenient during use. While maintaining practicality, enhancing the visual aesthetics of ceramic incense burners is also important. Through carefully designed Baoxiang flower patterns, the works should possess both cultural connotations and artistic value, meeting modern aesthetic standards.

Pay attention to the matching of materials and craftsmanship. According to design requirements and style characteristics, suitable ceramic materials should be selected for production, such as high-temperature ceramics and celadon, to showcase the delicacy and texture of the Baoxiang flower patterns. In terms of production techniques, attention should be paid to detail handling and technical requirements, such as using hand-painting and overglaze techniques, to make the Baoxiang flower patterns more vivid and exquisite.

Following market rules and consumer demands, in the design of ceramic incense burners, the needs and preferences of target consumers should be understood to design works that better meet market demands. Emphasis should be placed on brand building in the design, creating ceramic incense burner products with brand characteristics through unique Baoxiang flower patterns and exquisite craftsmanship.

By adhering to the above design principles, the Baoxiang flower can be better applied and innovatively developed in ceramic incense burner design, making a positive contribution to the transmission and promotion of traditional culture.

3.2. Design Application

3.2.1. Pattern Design

In the pattern design of ceramic incense burners, the Baoxiang flower serves as the main decorative element, adding a rich cultural atmosphere to the incense burners with its unique artistic features. Designers skillfully utilize the Baoxiang flower pattern, enhancing the visual impact and appeal of the incense burners.

3.2.2. Color Coordination

The colors of the Baoxiang flower are vibrant and diverse, including red, yellow, blue, and green. In the color coordination of ceramic incense burners, designers choose color schemes that harmonize with the characteristics of the Baoxiang flower, ensuring a more cohesive and unified color palette for the incense burners.

3.2.3. Material Selection

The choice of materials for ceramic incense burners significantly impacts the presentation of the Baoxiang flower. Designers typically select fine-textured and pure-colored ceramic materials to better showcase the patterns and colors of the Baoxiang flower.

3.3. Case Studies

This section aims to provide a detailed analysis and discussion of a series of representative ceramic incense burner designs, revealing the diversity and innovation of Baoxiang flower applications in these designs. These cases encompass ceramic incense burners of various materials, shapes, and styles, fully demonstrating the extensive application and unique charm of the Baoxiang flower in ceramic incense burner design. Through in-depth analysis, we find that the application of the Baoxiang flower in ceramic incense burner design not only focuses on inheriting and promoting profound cultural connotations but also actively combines modern aesthetic trends and design concepts to seek innovation and development.

Firstly, we examine a white porcelain lotus-shaped incense burner collected by the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities in Sweden (Figure 1). This incense burner features a lion pattern on its surface and has a unique shape. The burner consists of two parts: a lid and the body. The lid is designed as a squatting lion with a brocade ball, while the body is lotus-shaped with trumpet-shaped legs. Based on its glaze and shape characteristics, we speculate that this incense burner might originate from the Xing kiln in the late Tang dynasty [5].

Another typical case is the golden lotus-shaped incense burner excavated from the underground palace of Famen Temple in Fufeng, Shaanxi, in 1987 (Figure 2). Initially named “a set of silver-gilt incense burner and bowl,” it was later renamed the golden lotus-shaped incense burner. This burner is meticulously crafted from silver and consists of four parts: the lid, the body, the bowl, and the base. The lid features a hemispherical design with perforations and pearl-shaped buttons, with edges sloping outward and drooping to form the mouth, matching the mouth of the body. The body has an arched wall design connected to a ring-shaped foot at the bottom, entirely covered with a lotus leaf design. The base is adorned with realistic hollowed-out lotus leaf veins, showcasing a high level of craftsmanship and artistic value [5].

Figure 1: White Porcelain Lotus-Shaped Incense Burner

Figure 2: Golden Lotus-Shaped Incense Burner

4. Exploration of Baoxiang Flowers in Ceramic Incense Burner Design

4.1. Innovative Design

Building on the traditional Baoxiang flower patterns, designers continually explore and innovate by incorporating modern design elements into ceramic incense burner design. By utilizing new design concepts and methods, Baoxiang flowers gain new vitality and life in ceramic incense burner design.

4.2. Cultural Integration

As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, the integration of Baoxiang flowers with other cultural elements is also a significant direction in ceramic incense burner design. Designers create ceramic incense burner works with unique cultural connotations and artistic characteristics by merging Baoxiang flowers with other cultural elements.

4.3. Environmental Concepts

With increasing environmental awareness, designers pay more attention to the environmental performance of ceramic incense burners. In designing Baoxiang flower ceramic incense burners, designers actively use environmentally friendly materials and processes to reduce environmental pollution and damage.

5. Conclusion and Outlook

This paper provides a detailed and in-depth exploration of the application of Baoxiang flowers in ceramic incense burner design. It analyzes the historical evolution, profound cultural connotations, and unique artistic features of Baoxiang flowers, systematically outlining the principles and methods to follow in design practice. Through a series of specific case studies, the paper showcases the diversity and innovation of Baoxiang flowers in ceramic incense burner design. Looking to the future, as people increasingly value traditional culture and the growing demand for spiritual culture, the application of Baoxiang flowers in ceramic incense burner design is expected to become more widespread and profound. This will bring richer inspiration and insights to the field of ceramic incense burner design, thus powerfully promoting innovation and sustainable development in ceramic incense burner design.