Chinese Architecture

Chinese Architecture

Characterized by bilateral symmetry, use of enclosed open spaces, feng shui, a horizontal emphasis, and an illusion to various cosmological, mythological or in general symbolic elements.

Palaces and Temples

Chief building type of Chinese Architecture.

Wooden frame construction

What is the traditional construction system of Chinese architecture?

Northernmost

Largest and most important building are at the ___________ in Chinese Architecture.

increase in size

Surrounding structures and courtyards _________________ as they get closer to the main building.

Yin-yang

The interaction of two opposing and complementary principles.

Feng Shui

An ancient Chinese traditional practice which claims to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment.

Jian

Basic measure in construction.

Dougong

Interlocking bracket system.

Yin

Surrounding the void.

Feng Shui

Literally means “wind-water”.

North

Orientation of career / life path in feng shui.

South

Orientation of fame in feng shui.

Southwest and East

Orientation of love in feng shui.

West

Orientation of creation and children in feng shui.

Northeast

Orientation of knowledge in feng shui.

Northwest

Orientation of helpful people and travel in feng shui.

Southeast

Orientation of prosperity in feng shui.

Green

Color used for wood element and represents east in Chinese Architecture.

Yellow

Color used for earth, reserved for emperors, and represents center in Chinese Architecture.

Black

Color of Yin.

Blue and Black

Colors used for water and represents north in Chinese Architecture.

White and Gray

Colors used for metal and represents west in Chinese Architecture.

Red

Color used for fire, and represents south in Chinese Architecture.

Pailou

A monumental gateway to a palace, tomb, or sacred place.

Zhonglou

A bell tower or pavilion at the right side of a city gate, palace entrance, or forecourt of a temple.

Bagua Map

An eight-sided diagram from Chinese cosmology and Feng Shui used to represent different aspects of life and their relationship to the directions and elements

Gulou

It is the left side counterpart (bell tower) of a zhonglou.

Ta

The Chinese Pagoda.

Mu Ta Pagoda, Yinxian, China

Pagoda

Square or polygonal in plan, with roofs projecting from each storey; erected as a memorial or hold relics.

Fogong Pagoda, Shanxi, China

A 200-foot-high tower built entirely out of wood.

Fogong Pagoda, Shanxi, China

Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China

It is a complex of imperial religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China

Circular Mound Altar, ritual platform and considered as the Imperial Vault of Heaven.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China

Octagonal

What is the usual shape of the plan of Chinese pagodas?

Odd

Are the external stories of Chinese pagodas usually odd-numbered or even-numbered?

Heaven

What does the circle represent in traditional Chinese architecture?

Earth

What does the square represent in traditional Chinese architecture?

Forbidden City, Beijing, China

A palace complex.

Palace of Heavenly Purity, Beijing, China

The residence of the son of heaven and the conceptual center of the empire.

Hall of Supreme Harmony

Emperor’s throne room.

Palace of Heavenly Purity, Beijing, China

Place in the Forbidden City. It is the largest of the three halls of the Inner Court.

Summer Palace

It is the royal retreat for emperors fleeing the suffocating summer torpor of the old imperial city.

Great Wall of China

A series of fortifications that were built across the historical norther borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China as protection against various nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe.

Borobudur

It is the largest Buddhist temple compound in the world. The temple features hundreds of Buddha statues, decorative relief sculptures, and stories from the life and teachings of Buddha.