Yingling Chen

"Echoes of Tradition: The Shaman's Attire and Its Lasting Impression"

Section MS8, Joshua Leon

Keywords: memory

When I was a child and fell sick, my family arranged a shamanic ritual for me. What struck me most was the shaman's attire. He wore a vibrant, embroidered robe with flowing tassels and small bells that jingled softly as he moved. A feathered headdress crowned his head, making him appear both commanding and mystical. Even as a child, I could sense the power in his clothing-it wasn't just decorative but seemed to carry meaning and purpose. The way the light played on the patterns and the rhythmic jingling of the bells filled the room with an almost tangible energy. Looking back, I realise his attire was a living archive of tradition, connecting him to nature, ancestors, and the spiritual world. That image has stayed with me, vivid and unforgettable. This project focuses on designing a traditional shamanic costume as a living archive of cultural and spiritual practices. The costume will reflect the symbolic elements of shamanic rituals while exploring themes of failure, impossibility, and the unknown. The project addresses failure in preserving cultural essence, impossibility in recreating spiritual experiences, and the unknown through abstract, symbolic design. Inspired by media studies, the costume serves as a medium between tradition and modernity.