Skip to main content
  • 285 Accesses

Abstract

In traditional Chinese culture, architecture has become an approach for expressing and communicating cultural values. Through transformation and imitation in architectural forms and symbols, the meanings of metaphor and mimicry reflect special purposes and significations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Gengdu culture, literally farming-studying culture, is a traditional culture passed down by Chinese intellectuals through the ages.

  2. 2.

    Yin and yang are a pair of traditional Chinese philosophical concepts that represent the two opposite or contrary principles in nature and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. They are used in various fields of traditional Chinese culture, including religion, philosophy, calendar, fengshui, etc.

  3. 3.

    Tai chi (Mandarin: tai ji), in Chinese philosophy reflecting the concept of the ultimate source and motive force behind all reality. In the I Ching, tai chi is source and union of the two primary aspects of the cosmos, yang (active) and yin (passive).

  4. 4.

    Azure Dragon in the east is one of the Four Symbols and is the mythological guardian of east and also represents spring and property of wood.

  5. 5.

    White Tiger in the west is one of the Four Symbols and is the mythological guardian of west and also represents autumn and the property of gold.

  6. 6.

    Vermilion Bird in the south is one of the Four Symbols and is the mythological guardian of south and also represents summer and the property of fire.

  7. 7.

    Black Turtle-Snake in the north is one of the Four Symbols and is a creature that is a combination of turtle and snake, the mythological guardian of north that represents winter and the property of water.

  8. 8.

    I Ching (Mandarin: yi jing), also known as Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese classical philosophical work.

References

  • Hu, Y. Z. (2001). The characteristic, value and protection of the ancient villages along the Nanxi river. Development of Small Cities and Towns, (10), 40–45. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, J. H., & Qiu, J. (2008). The space construction of traditional settlement in Luocheng ancient town and its implications on the living environment. Sichuan Building Science, 34(5), 179–181. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian, J. L. (2004). Space planning and local customs of Luocheng ancient town. Development of Small Cities and Towns, (11), 60–63. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, H. D. (1999). Bagua mystery in Bagua village. Observation and Thought (Guan Cha Yu Si Kao), (2), 17–20. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L. Y. (2007). A study of space features of the Qing dynasty Shanxi buildings through viewpoints of grand courtyard of Chang family: (Dissertation for Master). Shanxi University, (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao, J., & Zhao, S. Y. (2005). Hongcun ancient village, a world cultural heritage: Analysis on the development structure of spatial form in Hongcun ancient village. Southeast Culture, (5), 48–50. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fang Wang .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wang, F. (2016). Introduction. In: Geo-Architecture and Landscape in China’s Geographic and Historic Context. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0492-6_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0492-6_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-0490-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-0492-6

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics