This article attempts to present two facets of public relations: One is the “functional paradigm” that has for decades been regarded as the dominant logic of PR theories; the other one is the “non-functional paradigm” that concentrates on humanities, meanings and power analysis. The author proposes that “symbolic expression” can bridge Cultural Studies and Public Relations according to literature. Based on the hypothesis, PR can be defined as a cultural phenomenon that produces and transforms meanings through symbolic systems under socio-cultural situations. Then the author puts forward a cultural analysis approach reflecting three most significant cultural characters of PR (namely identity construction, emotional interaction, and symbolic expression). Corresponded to the three characters, the cultural analysis approach consists of three dimensions: situational analysis, ritual analysis and rhetorical analysis.