Art of Coloring: The Application and Evolution of Plant Dyes in Yunjin

Yunjin is a treasure in traditional Chinese silk weaving crafts. It originated in Nanjing and is famous for its exquisite weaving skills and gorgeous color patterns. It is one of the three famous brocades in ancient times. This study aims to analyze the symbolic meaning and ecological and cultural value of plant dyeing in Yunjin art, sort out the development trajectory of Yunjin color system in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, deeply explore the impact of plant dyes on the ecology, richness and uniqueness of Yunjin color system, and evaluate its environmental protection and sustainable development value in modern society. The study used literature research method, field investigation method, interdisciplinary analysis method and case study method, sorted out Yunjin history and craftsmanship from literature, obtained first-hand information through field investigation, analyzed the cultural connotation of color system from an interdisciplinary perspective, and selected representative Yunjin fabrics to study its color composition and symbolic meaning in depth. Research shows that plant dyeing, as an important source of Yunjin's color system, not only gives it a unique artistic style, but also provides a basis for restoration and innovation. In terms of restoration, it covers the restoration of traditional color systems, ancient dyeing techniques, and historical color matching to ensure cultural authenticity and meet environmental protection needs. In terms of innovation, plant dyeing is widely used in fashion textiles, intangible cultural heritage, environmentally friendly materials, and technological innovation, promoting the modern development of Yunjin. The research further expanded the application scenarios of Yunjin culture in modern society, opened up a new path for the protection and modernization of intangible cultural heritage, and emphasized the ecological value of plant dyeing and its potential in the cultural industry.