Based on the theoretical perspectives of cultural semiotics and ethnomusicology, this paper conducts a systematic comparative study of the Chinese traditional instrument bamboo flute and the Western orchestral flute. It provides an in-depth analysis of the differences between the two instruments in terms of physical structure, material composition, acoustic principles, musical language, and aesthetic paradigms, while tracing the underlying cultural causes rooted in geographical environments, philosophical ideologies, modes of thinking, and historical developmental trajectories. The study reveals that the bamboo flute, as a product of China’s agrarian civilization, embodies aesthetic ideals such as harmony between nature and humanity, reverence for nature, and emphasis on implicit charm through its material, form, and musical expression. In contrast, the Western flute reflects the pursuit of rationality, precision, and structured musical forms within the context of industrial civilization. Furthermore, this paper explores the challenges, evolutions, and new significances in cultural identity construction faced by both instruments and their respective musical cultures in the contemporary era of increasing globalization and cross-cultural exchange. Through this comparison, the study aims to deepen the understanding of the essential differences between Chinese and Western musical cultures and to provide a theoretical foundation for recognizing the value of musical diversity worldwide.

Yun Yilin. A Comparative Analysis of Sino-Western Musical Differences and Cultural Connotations from a Cross-Cultural Perspective: Focusing on the Chinese Bamboo Flute and the Western Flute. Frontiers in Art Research (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 8: 71-78. https://doi.org/10.25236/FAR.2025.070811.

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