Folklore has always been a source of awesome stories and Tiger & Dragon by Pale Horse set out to capture an ancient Chinese legend in all of its glory in this illustration.
Pale Horse first uncovered the tale that would inspire Tiger & Dragon during a visit to Zhangzhou, China, where he witnessed locals pitting the two animals against one another in something akin to cockfights.
The Tiger & Dragon illustration, which features a cat locked in combat with a snake, is supposed to symbolically represent the mythic, and I can only assume epic, battles between dragons and tigers. I think the battle between these two creatures is interesting enough without the symbolism. My money's on the king cobra.
Implications - Consumers are attracted to media inspired by folklore because it satiates their desire to return to more traditional values. This desire stems from its familiarity, which consumers use as a coping mechanism for the rapidly changing economic and technological world. Corporations may consider using myth-inspired imagery in their wares.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Folklore-inspired Media
- The popularity of media inspired by folklore provides opportunities for businesses to tap into consumers' desire for traditional values and nostalgia.
- Symbolic Battle Representations
- Corporations can explore the use of symbolic battle representations in their products or marketing materials to resonate with consumers' fascination with mythical conflicts.
- Cultural Appropriation Awareness
- The depiction of ancient legends and folklore may prompt discussions around cultural appropriation, offering opportunities for companies to engage in responsible and respectful storytelling.
Where This Applies
- Entertainment
- The entertainment industry can capitalize on the popularity of folklore-inspired media by producing movies, TV shows, and games that cater to consumers' craving for traditional narratives.
- Fashion and Apparel
- Fashion brands can incorporate myth-inspired imagery and symbolic battle representations into their designs to tap into consumers' fascination with ancient legends and mythical creatures.
- Consumer Goods
- Companies in the consumer goods industry can explore folklore-inspired product lines that leverage consumers' desire for nostalgic and traditional values, creating an emotional connection with their target audience.
