Traditional Decorative Symbols and User Behavior: Experiences of Ghanaian and Chinese Seat Users

Abstract

Traditional decorations, symbolic designs, or motifs on traditional seats do not only hold aesthetic values but also provide a conduit for expressing cultural philosophies and beliefs. In most Ghanaian and Chinese homes, seats meant for interior use are adorned with unique traditional symbols or decorative designs that continue to serve various domestic purposes. One unique value of traditional seats which needs to be documented is the effect and correlation between traditional symbols or decorative designs engineered in the seat and the behavior of people who continually use these artifacts. Using a mixedmethods approach, the study used a survey design. The data was sourced using interviews and questionnaires. 40 respondents were interviewed while 491 traditional seat users also responded to the questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used in analyzing the qualitative bit of the study while a Pearson Moment Correlation Coe cient (PMCC) was used to compute the extent of correlation between conveyed traditional symbols or decorative designs and the seat users' behavior. Traditional decorative designs such as Gye Nyame, Sankofa, Akoma, Bi-nka-bi, akofena, Odo nnyew e kwan, Hye Wonhye, Nyansapo, adinkrahene, Nkyinkyim, Mmere Dane, etc. which are associated with Ghanaians, and traditional Chinese decorative designs such as the bat, dragon, Moiré, eagle, elephant, the eight immortals, lotus ower, Kylin pattern, Babao pattern, ox, tiger, Buddha, etc. respectively conveyed on traditional Ghanaian and Chinese seat products negatively, neutrally, or positively affect the behavior of users of the seat (r = .4769, p = .00). Spiritually, the symbols or designs impact their prayer life, and their faith, and affect their fortune and luck. The feeling of comfort, courage, calmness, being optimistic, and being cheerful was the psychological impact of decorative designs. Culturally, users of traditional seat-bearing decorative designs or symbolic designs have become more tolerant, patient, chaste, honest, and loyal while they have also been assertive and unrelenting. Psychologically, it affects users' comfort, courage, calmness, being optimistic, and being cheerful, while users' personal development may also be affected leading to an automatic correlation with behavior. It was recommended that people should be encouraged to use traditional seats with traditional decorations or symbols that have positive meanings to help shape their lives in a positive direction.