Abstract: Yunnan Tile Cats have undergone a full life trajectory, evolving from house-protecting talismans into mascots. Their forms
and functions change alongside shifts in their inherent attributes, which in turn reshape the cats' forms and functions. Tracing the
historical evolution of their forms and functions aims to analyse the cultural, economic and political factors, as well as the yetundiscovered
aesthetic pathways, that have driven such changes. By exploring the original functional context of the barrel-tile base,
this study reveals the vital role of this physical component in forming the cultural connotations of Tile Cats. It further points out that
amid the ongoing creative transformation of Yunnan Tile Cats, the intentional and unintentional removal of key physical components
that carry cultural meaning, together with the addition of stylistic elements detached from cultural logic, is leading to the mutation of
Tile Cat culture.

Key words:  , Yunnan Tile Cats, life trajectory, form, base, function