Selecting and testing cultural symbols for character IP: evidence from Mount Tai, China
Yu Wang, Changqiang Si · 2026
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Description
Yu Wang and Changqiang Si ask how grand heritage becomes a beloved character brand, using Mount Tai in China as the test case. Their study appeared in 2026. Sites want mascot-like figures, in the mold of famous regional characters, that carry culture into media and merchandise. The team built a scoring model to rank the mountain's cultural symbols, then surveyed audiences on how the chosen figures landed emotionally.
Person-like expression and emotional comfort in the designs strongly raised audience resonance. That resonance, in turn, strengthened cultural identity and the wish to buy and share. Grand narratives presented plainly did little. The authors say heritage travels when it is shrunk to a face people can feel for, a lesson for cultural tourism everywhere.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Yu Wang, Changqiang Si |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 46 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |