Cement Tiles in Southern Fujian: Symbolic Evolution and Identity in Cultural Syncretism

Abstract

Southern Fujian, China, was a crucial hub for overseas Chinese migration, with close exchanges with foreign countries from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. Cement tiles, introduced to Southern Fujian via Europe and Southeast Asia (Nanyang), are a typical product of cultural fusion, reflecting the complex interaction between local Southern Fujian traditions, Nanyang culture, and Western aesthetics during a specific period of time.
Purpose: This study explores the material culture and process of identity construction of cement tiles in Southern Fujian.
Methods: Employing an interdisciplinary research approach, this study conducted systematic archival research and fieldwork in Quanzhou, Xiamen, and Zhangzhou, and combined cultural analysis, semiotics, and historical ethnography for in-depth analysis.
Results: The results indicate that the evolution of symbolic meaning, exemplified by cement tile patterns, represents an active acceptance and localisation of foreign culture rather than passive absorption. Local artisans purposefully and creatively employed external elements, integrating them into the existing aesthetic system of Southern Fujian, and conveying symbols of kinship, wealth, and social status. Thus, these tiles became a powerful visual symbol of modern identity in prosperous overseas Chinese communities.
Conclusion: This research indicates that Minnan cement tiles are not merely decorative items but also material carriers of cultural integration. This study contributes to a broader exploration of materiality, cultural integration, and identity construction phenomena in the coastal hometowns of overseas Chinese within specific cross-border interaction and exchange contexts.