Martial arts, as a core vehicle of excellent traditional Chinese culture, carry the martial virtue system of “benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and fidelity” and the kernel of the national spirit. Visual artistic conception is the key medium for martial arts imagery to convey the cultural connotation that can be “sensed but not explained in words.” However, its construction is limited by traditional live-action filming methods and faces the challenge of market squeeze by Hollywood special effects films. With the iteration of digital technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence generated content (AIGC), new opportunities have emerged for constructing the visual artistic conception of martial arts imagery. This paper adopts case analysis and literature research methods to systematically explore how digital technology can innovatively construct the visual artistic conception of martial arts imagery. It also analyzes the key role of digital technology in the inheritance of martial arts culture, aiming to provide experiential reference for the future transmission of martial arts culture.
National Film Administration, 2010, Report on the Development of China’s Film Industry from 2010 to 2019. China Film Press, Beijing, 78–85.
Chao S, Wang Y, Li M, 2024, From “Conquest” to “Ceasing Warfare”: On the Transformation of the Martial Spirit Reflected in the Evolution of the Meaning of the Character “Wu”. Journal of Lishui University, 46(1): 72–79.
Wang Y, Cui R, Jin Y, 2023, Research on the Concept of “Unity of Body and State” in the Jingwu Spirit during the Republican Period and Its Value. Journal of Xi’an Physical Education University, 40(6): 744–752.
Liu M, Fu R, 2014, The Influence of Buddhist Zen Thought on Shaolin Martial Arts. Journal of Shangqiu Normal University, 30(9): 91–93.
Huang J, 2020, Elements of Oriental Aesthetics in Huallywood Martial Arts Films. Modern Audiovisual, 2020(4): 62–65.
Su Y, 2015, Development Opportunities for Chinese 3D Films. Youth Journalist, 2015(2): 52–53.
Zhao J, 2025, Solitude and Philosophical Contemplation: A Multidimensional Deconstruction of the Landscape Imagery in Liu Zongyuan’s Poetry. Journal of Hunan University of Science and Engineering, 46(4): 22–27.
Li Y, 2021, The “Age of Images” and the Democratization of Cultural Power. Journal of Southwest University (Social Sciences Edition): 47(2): 161–174 + 229–230.
Gao J, 2010, On the “Running” Imagery in Forrest Gump. Movie Literature, 2010(4): 102–103.
Liu L, 2024, A Brief Analysis of Zhang Yimou’s Oriental Martial Arts Aesthetics: A Comparative Analysis of Shadow and Hero. Comedy World (Second Half Monthly): 2024(10): 52–54.
Wu S, Wang G, Zhu Y, 2013, Martial Arts Artistic Conception: A Preliminary Exploration of the Artistic Theory of Chinese Martial Arts. Journal of Physical Education, 20(2): 99–102.
Sun W, 2018, The Body of the Communicator: Communication and Presence—The Evolution of Conscious Subject, Body-Subject, and Intelligent Agent. Chinese Journal of Journalism & Communication, 40(12): 83–103.