Christopher Chantland

2-17-05

Chinese Architecture

Introduction

Ancient Chinese architecture enjoys a long history and great achievements, and created many architectural miracles. In the process of its development, superior architectural techniques and artistic design were combined to make Chinese architecture to be one of the three most unique architectural systems.

Background

Ancient Chinese architecture features unique timber framework that clearly identifies supporting structure and bonding structure.
The top load of a structure will be transferred to its foundations through its posts, beams, lintels and joints. The reason for the strict blueprint idea is the lack of other building materials like nails, screws, and other holding materials.
Although lacking additional building materials, the Chinese were able to make big strides in architecture. For example, since palaces are where emperors live and practice their reign, palaces of different dynasties integrate the essence of Chinese architecture. The famous palace complex, Efanggong built by and for Qin Shihuangdi. Can you imagine that its Front Palace, built more than 2,000 years ago, covered 80,000 square meters and could hold 10,000 people?

Efanggong

Front Palace
(Reconstruction)

Buddhist Architecture

A. Chinese Buddhist architecture consists of temples and Pagodas. Localization started right after Buddhist architecture was introduced into China with Buddhism during the Han dynasty, (0 CE), interpreting Chinese architectural aesthetics and culture.

B. Chinese Buddhist architecture follows a strict symmetric style, as most early ancient architecture did.

C. Early pagodas were usually wooden and had quadrangle, hexangle, octagonal or twelve sided iconography. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, starting around 581 CE, pagodas tended to be made of stone and brick.

D. Chinese Buddhist Temples were landmarks in a town or city. Thus they were normally large and in a natural setting.

Daoist Architecture

A. Daoist architecture was very strict and very traditional. As a result, in the beginning, Daoists mostly lived in huts and even caves in remote mountains following their philosophy of the appreciation of nature.

B. During the Jin dynasty, (265 CE) and the Northern and Southern Wei dynasty, (386 CE), Daoism experienced reforms and reached a large scale in acceptance.

C. In the Tang Dynasty (618 CE) and the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Chinese architects preferred timber framed architecture, characterized by high base, broad roof and perfect integration of decoration and function. There were strict regulations on size, structure, decoration and use of color.

Conclusion:

For the 660 years, Daoism and Buddhism influenced each other, so that certain structures in Buddhist architecture were transmitted into Daoism architecture. As a result, there remained similarities in the design of the two systems. Their architecture reflected their beliefs, time period, and religion influences.