填空题 Answer questions by referring to the introduction to 3 different architectures.
Note: Answer each question by choosing A, B or C and mark it on ANSWER SHEET. Some choices may be required more than once.
A = Buddhist Architecture B = Taoist Architecture C= Imperial Mausoleum Architecture
are there various structures serving different functions?
21. ______
can we enjoy the highest architectural techniques of the ancient time ?
22. ______
can we find totems representing emperors and their consorts?
23. ______
are the temples built most probably because of the emperors' religious belief ?
24. ______
is it possible to find various architectural decorations such as imagines of heavenly bodies symbolizing certain good wishes?
25. ______
are there drainage systems under huge hills of clay?
26. ______
can we enjoy architecture with foreign flavors?
27. ______
are garden structural units built with decorations reflecting the nature topography?
28. ______
is it most likely to find glazed tiles due to improved architectural techniques?
29. ______
can we find Heavenly King Hall and Sutra Library stand on the axis?
30. ______
Buddhist Architecture
Chinese Buddhist architecture consists of temple, pagoda and grotto. As the central structure of spreading Buddhism in China, the temple is where cenobites preceding their religious life. Since emperors of dynasties believed in Buddhism, temples erected like mushrooms, usually splendid like palaces, for many were built under imperial orders. In the Northern Wei Dynasty, there were more than 30,000 temples scattered in the country. Later as architectural techniques improved, glazed tiles, exquisite engravings and delicate paintings were applied in the construction of temples, which came to be more magnificent and splendid.
Chinese Buddhist architecture follows symmetric style strictly. Usually main buildings will be set on the central axis, facing the south. Annexe structures will be on the west and east flanks. Temple gate, Heavenly King Hall, the Main Hall and Sutra Library successively stands on the axis. Dorm, kitchen, dinning hall, storehouse and antechamber usually cluster on the right side while left side remains for the visitors.
Pagoda is also the main integrating part of the Buddhist architecture, with varied styles and strong local flavors. Pagoda followed Buddhism into China around the first century, and developed into pavilion-like pagoda on which one can view scenery after immediate combination with traditional Chinese architecture.
Another Buddhist architecture is grotto complex with its caves hewn on cliff walls, usually huge projects and with exquisite engravings. It came from India with Buddhism too and boomed during the Northern and Southern dynasty.
Taoist Architecture
Taoist architecture includes various structures according to different functions, categorized as palace for oblation and sacrifice, altar for praying and offering, cubby for religious service, residence for Taoist abbes and garden for visitors.
Taoist architecture applies two architectural styles — traditional style and Bagua style. Most Taoist architectures resort to nature topography to build towers, pavilions, lobbies and other garden structural units, decorated with murals, sculptures and steles to entertain people, fully interpreting Taoist philosophy of nature.
Taoist architectural decoration reflects Taoist pursuit of luck and fulfillment, long lifespan, and evolution into the fairyland. Taoist architectural motifs are all meaningful. Celestial bodies mean brightness shining everywhere while landscape and rocks immortality. Folding fan, fish, narcissus, bat and deer are used to imply beneficence, wealth, celestial being, fortune and official position, while pine and cypress stand for affection, tortoise for longevity, crane for man of honor. There are many other symbols very traditional and Taoist decorations root deep in Chinese folk residential houses.
Imperial Mausoleum Architecture
Imperial mausoleum architecture accounts for a major part in ancient Chinese architecture since they usually stand for the highest architectural techniques of the time. Emperors would often force thousands of the nations, best architects to build these structures. They would withdraw millions, even billions from the exchequer to fund their tombs. These tombs were always magnificently deluxe and consisted of finest structures of the period. In vicissitude of the history, imperial mausoleums scattered around places which used to be capitals of different dynasties. These mausoleums were usually built against hills or mountains and facing plains. Most imperial mausoleums have broad ways called Shendao (the Sacred Way) at the entrance. Along both sides of the Shendao, there are stone sculptures of men and animals which guard the tombs. Other imperial structures were also built beside the tomb. Under huge hills of clay, splendid and superior structures were constructed with free facilities such as drainage systems.
Dragon and phoenix, called Long and Feng in Chinese respectively, are totems of Chinese people. They were used to represent emperors and their consorts and were the main decorative patterns to be seen on various imperial structures. Palaces, columns, pathways and screen walls were all inscribed or carved or painted with their images.