Advances in Research on the Role of Color and Symmetry in Intangible Cultural Heritage Visual Symbols for Emotion Regulation
Abstract
Visual symbols of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) combine perceptual form with culturally learned meaning, yet their potential role in emotion regulation remains theoretically fragmented. This narrative review focuses on color and symmetry and integrates evidence from color psychology, Gestalt theory, neuroaesthetics, art therapy, and heritage studies. It proposes a culturally embedded dual-path framework in which low-level visual properties may shape attention, processing fluency, arousal, and autonomic responses, whereas cultural coding may influence appraisal, identity, and perceived safety. The framework further considers the interaction of color and symmetry and the amplifying roles of participation and context. Because direct ICH-specific evidence remains limited, the review distinguishes established findings, indirect evidence, and theoretical propositions. It concludes by identifying priorities for controlled cross-cultural research, standardized physiological and subjective measures, and context-sensitive applications. This perspective connects cultural inheritance with emotion-regulation research without reducing ICH symbols to culturally neutral visual stimuli.
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