The Cultural Meaning and Layout Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Palace Architecture

Layout of palace buildings 1. front hall and back palace 2. left ancestor and right community 3. central axis symmetry 4. three dynasties, five gates and six bedrooms 5. three palaces and six courtyards

The courtyard-style grouping and layout are generally designed in a balanced and symmetrical manner along the longitudinal axis (also known as front and rear axes) and the horizontal axis. The more important buildings are placed on the vertical axis, secondary houses are placed on the horizontal axis on the left and right sides of it, the Forbidden City in Beijing and the layout of the group of the northern courtyard is the most typical example of the principles of the layout of this group can be embodied. This layout is closely related to the patriarchal and religious system of Chinese feudal society. It is the most convenient according to the feudal patriarchal and hierarchical concepts, so that respect for the inferiority and superiority, the eldest and the youngest, men and women, masters and servants in the housing also reflects the obvious differences.

The artistic effect caused by the layout of this courtyard-style groups in China, compared with European architecture, has its unique artistic charm. Generally speaking, a European building, is more at a glance. China's ancient architecture, but like a Chinese painting scroll, must be a section of the gradual exhibition to see, it is impossible to see all at the same time. Into a Chinese ancient architecture can only be from a courtyard into another courtyard, you must walk all the way to see the end. Beijing's Forbidden City is the most outstanding example, people from the Tiananmen Gate into, every through a door, into another courtyard; from this end of the courtyard to that end, a courtyard, step by step, the scenery is changing, giving a person a deep feeling. The artistic image of the Forbidden City is also y in people's minds.