There are two groups of Chinese architecture, One is symmetrical layout ， One is free layout 。 The combination mode of middle axis symmetry accounts for the majority. Palaces, temples, ancestral halls, folk houses, guild halls and academies all have axes. Develop in depth above the linear axis.

1. Beauty of axial symmetry

If you look at the Forbidden City, there is a complete axis. In front is Tiananmen, behind Tiananmen is Duanmen, and behind Duanmen is the Meridian Gate. Then there is the Taihe Gate, the three main halls: Taihe Hall, Zhonghe Hall, and Baohe Hall. After Qianqing Gate, there are Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace. Then there is the back garden, to the back door Shenwu Gate. After going out is Jingshan. The symmetry of this main axis is very strict.

the Forbidden City

Free style plane combination is generally reflected in the middle of the garden. There is also a symmetrical combination of axes in the middle of the garden. In particular, royal gardens, such as the Summer Palace, Beihai, Zhongnanhai and Chengde Mountain Resort in Beijing, are among a large number of royal gardens. According to the landscape and topography, buildings are arranged freely. But the local position is also axisymmetric.

Longevity Hill Buddha Fragrant Pavilion in the Summer Palace    

Chengde Mountain Resort

Let's look at Mufu in Lijiang, Yunnan. It is a royal residence in Lijiang, Yunnan. It is located in the Naxi region of Yunnan. He is a chieftain. The Mufu is a palace in Lijiang. It also has a central axis similar to that in the imperial palace.

Mufu, Lijiang, Yunnan

The same is true in Qufu, Shandong. There is also a very complete central axis.

Confucian Temple in Qufu, Shandong

     

2. Deep beauty of the courtyard                    

One feature of this layout is that it is often dominated by one of the most important axes. It develops in depth in the continuous alternation of buildings and courtyards. This courtyard and building are just one entrance. It represents identity and rank. The more advanced the number, the higher the status of the owner of the building.        

Zhoujiadayu, Ganyantou Village, Yongzhou        

In the progressive growth, it shows a unique atmosphere of Chinese architecture. We often hear that the courtyard is deep and the rich are as deep as the sea. It will give people a sense of mystery. For example, when we stand outside Tiananmen Square and look inside, we will feel a mystery, its majesty.

In fact, the same is true for folk houses. For example, there is an axis to develop in depth for the Zhoujia House in Ganyantou Village, Yongzhou. There are gates, two gates, main rooms and patios.

     

3. The beauty of horizontal axis branches        

   In ancient Chinese dwellings, there are not only vertical axes, but also horizontal axes. This is because it is often a large family. In this big family, there will be branches. Then this branch has branches. It's like a branch. This is especially reflected in the residential houses in the south.

Ancient buildings often have several longitudinal axes in the middle. Each longitudinal axis is the same way. For example, Yuelu Academy is two roads. However, folk houses are rare.

Yuelu Academy        

The courtyard in the north is typically a quadrangle. In the south is the courtyard. Siheyuan courtyard is relatively open. Plants can be planted in the yard. There are stone tables and benches. People can move in the yard. In the courtyard in the south, people are not active in it. It is a small space enclosed by buildings on all sides. Four sides drain towards the middle. The middleman is not active.  

There is an ancient village of Zhangguying Village in Hunan. It has a main axis developing in depth, and then there is a horizontal axis beside it, which is a very typical symbol of family reproduction. An axis is equivalent to a branch of the family. Then one branch branches again. This is like a rich font structure. This is the most typical way of family settlement in the south.

Zhangguying Village, Yueyang, Hunan        

       

Just like Zhangguying Village, it was originally developed by one person. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Guying moved from Jiangxi to Yueyang, Hunan to settle down. The descendants multiply. Today, it is 28 generations.

In fact, there are many such buildings in the country. For example, Shishan in Yangshi Town, Lianyuan, Hubei Province.

In fact, there is another feature of China's plane layout: a courtyard is a small society.

     

4. The beauty of courtyard society

This is true of palaces, temples, ancestral halls, guild halls, academies, and folk houses. There will be a parent in this society. There is a master and a subordinate. For example, the palace expresses a royal society. Of course, the biggest one is the emperor. The most important thing is the palace where the emperor went to court. Like the Forbidden City in Beijing, the most important thing is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. All other buildings are smaller in volume and area, and their layout is also around them.

       And Buddhism is the same. From the layout of the temple, the most important building is the Mahavira Hall where the Tathagata Buddha is located. The volume is also the largest, occupying the most important position. Other Bodhisattvas surround it.

Main Hall of Shaolin Temple

The same is true for residential houses. There is also a parent. It's the old man of the family. He lives in the main room and others in the wing room and ear room. So a building group is a small society. Just like human society.  

       5. Beauty of central buildings

The layout of the ancient Chinese architectural complex has its primary and secondary, central courtyard, secondary courtyard, central buildings and secondary buildings.

Let's look at the Longevity Hill of the Summer Palace. The most important building is the Buddha Fragrance Pavilion, the top of the pagoda with eight corners. In front is the Cloud Dispelling Hall. Very rigorous axial symmetry. Facing Kunming Lake in front. There are also some courtyard combinations nearby. There are also some axis symmetry. The rest is free combination.

Suzhou Humble Administrator's Garden

Why are there so many central axes in the royal garden? It is because the emperor wants to live in the middle of this garden for a long time. We should also deal with the government affairs and court officials to reflect the majesty of the emperor. For another example, the Hall of Diligence in the Summer Palace is the place where Empress Dowager Cixi handles the government affairs. All civil and military officials should submit memorials. Therefore, it is also the case of overall free layout, and a small number of axes are symmetrical. Another example is the North Sea, which also has axial symmetry.

Conclusion

Ancient architecture is the history of stone. What we see is not only the beauty of ancient buildings, but also the cultural connotation behind them. Not only the traditional morality of Confucianism, but also the obedience to nature of Taoism.

When we are intoxicated with the ancient architecture, we feel that the Chinese traditional culture is everywhere. Love architecture is culture!