[9]: 99 The clouds physical characteristics (being wispy and vaporous in nature) were associated with the Taoist concept of qi (气; 氣), especially yuanqi,[3]: 133  and the cosmological forces at work;[1][note 4] i.e. the yuanqi was the origins of the Heavens and Earth, and all things were created from the interaction between the yin and yang.

[3]: 133 [9]: 99  Clouds were also closely associated with the Chinese immortals (called xian) and their residence on Mount Penglai.

In that period, the sighting of xiangyun in the sky and its association its auspicious characteristics was recorded in the Chapter Fengshanshu 《封禪書》of the Shiji by Sima Qian, where it was described as "an unusual cloud formation [...] in the sky northeast of Chang'an a supernatural emanation had appeared, made of five colours [五彩] and shaped like a man’s hat"; the record continues with the following suggestion: "since Heaven has sent down this auspicious sign [referring to xiangyun], it is right that places of worship should be set up to offer sacrifices to the Lord on High in an answer to his omen".

[1][10] In this period, the people of the Han dynasty therefore interpreted the apparitions of the five-coloured clouds in the sky as an expression of the Will of Heaven.

[3]: 133  All these early depictions of cloud motifs however eventually evolved with time changing in shape and colours[2]: 482  and further matured in the Han dynasty.

[3]: 133  The cloud patterns gained more artistic beauty which were associated with the concept of immortality[3]: 133  and were formalized.

[3]: 133  They became an established theme on ceramic ware since the Tang dynasty and would symbolize happiness or good luck.

[12]: 45 The yunleiwen pattern was a symbol of the life-giving and the abundance in harvest that the rain would bring to the people in an agrarian society.

[15]: 1ixiii  In the late 13th century, the Iranians especially favoured cloud motifs (often coupled with animals) in their arts, including textiles, and paintings as landscape elements.

[16] Zuiun is characterized by a swirly shape which looks like a reishi mushroom and also express an auspicious omen.

[17] Ninsei's cloud-style was then adapted and later evolved into cloud outline which were then applied on all types of Japanese ceramics.