A Study of the Semantic Features and Digital Inheritance of Traditional Chinese Textile Cultural Terminology

Xin Liu

Article
2025 / Volume 8 / Pages 846-862
Received 15 August 2025; Accepted 11 September 2025; Published 26 November 2025
https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2025.846

Abstract
The modern textile industry, in the pursuit of sustainable development, is increasingly looking to historical practices for innovative solutions for fiber products. This study addresses the loss of critical knowledge embedded in the terminology of traditional Chinese textile technology. Focusing primarily on the rich lexicon of silk—the pinnacle of ancient Chinese textile craft—this study conducts a systematic semantic analysis of key terms related to materials, tools, and weaving structures. The study reveals how this specialized vocabulary forms a deeply integrated knowledge system, encoding technical processes and cultural values. This paper proposes a digital inheritance framework using a knowledge graph to model the complex relationships between materials, processing techniques, and the textile mills, machinery and equipment used. This materials-science-oriented approach transforms archaic terms into a structured database, providing a powerful tool for modern textile products and processes. The result is a novel methodology for reviving ancient wisdom to inspire future sustainable textile innovation.

Keywords
textile technology, weaving, natural fibers, textile industry, sustainable development