Study on the functional design of lion-shaped lamps from sacred to secular from the perspective of "Locality"

This study, based on the theory of Locality, systematically examines the functional transformation of ancient Chinese lion-shaped lamps from the burial context to daily living scenes. By sorting out the evolution of their shapes, decorations and application scenarios, it reveals how these lamps transformed from funerary "ever-burning lamps" into daily lighting utensils and accomplished the creative transformation from foreign cultural symbols to a model of local artifact creation. Combining textual research and physical analysis, this study proposes that the localization process of lion-shaped lamps is a dynamic adaptation in a specific temporal and spatial context through the integration of the local environment, symbolic expression and functional expansion, which realizes the innovation of functions and the re-endowment of symbolic meanings, reflecting the wisdom of the Chinese culture in digesting foreign cultures and its ability of reconstruction. This paper provides a new perspective for the design of traditional artifacts, and also offers a historical reference for the contemporary cross-cultural design practice in the era of globalization.