Abstract: The typical artistic value of traditional totem embodied in traditional and minority costume was summarized, and on basis of the Chinese traditional totem culture,the evolution methods of the traditional totem patterns such as fundamental-element expansion, xolor evolution, space extension from two dimensions to many dimensions, xombination of various styles and homologous heterogeneity are studied in combination with new technologies and ideas of new era through decomposition-combination, and deformation. This research work has provided abundant design elements for modern costume and given a guide for the application of traditional totem patterns in the modern costume.

Key words: totem , pattern , evolution , modern costume , design