Differences between Chinese and Western Architectural Cultures

Differences between Chinese and Western architectural cultures.

Differences between Chinese and Western architectural cultures In the world, culture can be roughly divided into two parts: East and West. The ancient oriental culture is dominated by the culture of our Chinese nation, while the western classical culture is dominated by the culture of ancient Greece and Rome. In the field of architecture, the development and evolution of China's ancient architecture has been continuous since its origin, which can be traced back to ancient times six or seven thousand years ago. It has formed a unique system in the history of ancient architecture in the world, and it is also the longest-lasting architectural system in the world. The ancient Greeks with genius and wisdom and the ancient Romans with courage to practice created an architectural form with stones as materials and beams and columns as basic components. This architectural form, after a long development process of Renaissance and classicism, continued until the beginning of the 20th century. For more than 2,000 years, it has come down in one continuous line in Europe and formed an architectural system with historical tradition in the world, that is, western classical architecture.

Comparison of Chinese and Western Architectural Cultures

Regional differences, ethnic differences and different cultural backgrounds directly affect the changes of architectural creative thinking, and these factors will be reflected in architecture, forming a unique architectural culture. China's architecture is influenced by China's traditional Confucian ethics and Yin-Yang theory. It emphasizes the "golden mean", the complementary transformation of things and the unity of opposites between reason and reason, and architecture shows a temporary concept. Western architecture is dominated by religion, theocracy and imperial power, which is the reflection of theocracy and the embodiment of imperial power. Its thinking mode also emphasizes rationality and scientific analysis, and both emphasize the concept of permanence in architecture. There are several differences in architecture between the two.

1. Etiquette, religion and cultural thoughts, the ancient buildings in China are all influenced by ethics, especially Confucianism. Confucianism is a school that attaches importance to etiquette, filial piety and literature. First of all, under the advocacy of paying attention to etiquette, all building manufacturing should follow the etiquette law. Whether it is urban planning, palaces and temples, or people's houses, they are all restricted by the etiquette system, so they should pay attention to symmetry, unity and solemnity in form. Secondly, under the advocacy of filial piety, Confucianism advocates "pursuing the distance carefully", worshiping ancestors and attaching importance to mausoleum construction. The prestige of the king before his death and the dignity after his death should be reflected here. As for residential buildings, "five generations under one roof" is required, which forms the residential characteristics under the extended family system in China.

Notre Dame de Paris has always been supreme in the west, so any building activity must be restricted by it. After 4000 BC, due to the emergence of centralization, craftsmen with specialized skills and many slaves could be gathered to engage in construction activities. In addition to secular architecture, because religion serves the autocratic system of the emperor, the palaces, tombs and temples of the emperor have become major buildings, such as pyramids in ancient Egypt and temples in ancient Greece. As a building, the cemetery is a sacred place to shelter the authority and immortal soul of the deceased (such as the pyramids in ancient Egypt), while the temple is a memorial building (such as the temple of the sun) where the emperor plays himself as the embodiment of the god who rules everything. Architecture is closely integrated with religion, technology and sacrifice.