Abstract: The 26 indigenous ethnic groups inhabiting Yunnan Province have collectively created, developed and passed down the region's ethnic culture. This cultural system embodies the wisdom of coexistence characterized by “harmony without uniformity” and “sharing weal and woe.” By examining two cultural expressions–patterns and rituals–through fieldwork evidence and documentary research in conjunction with pattern narrative analysis, this study delves into the cultural practices of Yunnan's ethnic groups. By dissecting the symbolic meanings of ethnic patterns and the social functions of rituals, this research explores the intrinsic connections, complexity, and diversity within Yunnan's ethnic cultural integration. The study ultimately reveals that patterns, as a visual language, embody the values of cultural exchange and integration among Yunnan's ethnic groups, while rituals provide the practical means for their interaction and fusion. Together, they construct the concept of cultural symbiosis, deepening our understanding of the rules governing ethnic cultural integration in Yunnan. This research offers empirical support and innovative insights from local practices for strengthening the consciousness of community for the Chinese nation.

Key words: ethnic cultural integration in Yunnan, pattern, ritual, cultural symbiosis, consciousness of community for the Chinese nation