Analysis of the Relationship between Frog Patterns and Human Patterns in Prehistoric Colored Pottery

Images of the frog pattern and the human pattern in the prehistoric period are different and were influenced by each other. Yangshao culture’s and Majiayao culture’s early frog pattern and human pattern are more realistic: the frog pattern focuses on highlighting the features of the back, limbs, and toes, and the human pattern highlights the facial features or reflects the movement of the characters; both patterns have their distinctive characteristics. Developed during the middle and late Majiayao culture, the two present a relatively close relationship, and variants of the pattern appeared during this time, presenting a unique region and period and showing the general characteristics of the frog pattern and the human pattern through the art of pattern integration. We believe these variant patterns result from cultural exchange and integration during the evolution and development of frog patterns, where human elements were incorporated into some frog patterns. Moreover, the frog pattern and the human pattern, in the connotation of allegory, are embodied in forms of worship, including reproduction, totem, and sun and moon worship.