How high is the status of ancient ritual architecture in China?

Liang Sicheng said in "Architectural History of China" that the ancient political and legal system paid special attention to etiquette for the prosperity of Confucianism. Therefore, the architecture contained in the biographies of the pre-Qin and Han dynasties pays more attention to its name and orientation, and its deployment is institutionalized, but rarely involves the structure of the palace. Later, those who have their own views on architecture in historical records are more common in the five elements and etiquette records. Indeed, in ancient China, special emphasis was placed on ritual architecture. Li Yun He Cheng believes that in China's traditional concept, besides regarding the whole building itself as one of the contents of "ritual system", a series of "ritual system buildings" have also been formed. He made a clear definition of ritual architecture. The so-called ritual architecture generally refers to the buildings or architectural settings needed for "etiquette" or the buildings to which "Ritual Department" belongs. For example, suburban hills, ancestral temples and rural areas set up for "sacrifice" and Tang Ming, Biyong and schools set up for publicity and education (enlightenment) are all among the "ritual buildings". In addition, in the architectural layout, architectural elements produced by "ceremony", such as Quelou, Bell Tower, Longshi, Huabiao, etc. , can also be said to be some projects. In fact, they are only regarded as "ritual vessels" needed in the layout. In China, there are not only ritualized buildings, but also the scale and style of the buildings are built in strict accordance with the hierarchical order of the ritual system. The Book of Rites says:

There are seven temples of the son of heaven, three Zhao and three Mu, and seven temples of Taizu. Five temples of princes, two temples of Zhao and five temples of Taizu. There are three doctor temples, one each for Zhao and Mu, and three temples for Mao. In a temple, Shu Ren sacrificed to sleep.

The status of ritual architecture far exceeds that of practical architecture. This strict etiquette system is actually a feudal hierarchy, such as the level of houses, the level of pedestals and the level of colors. This hierarchical order is actually a ceremonial order.

In my opinion, architectural etiquette can be divided into three levels:

One is a religious ceremony and a temple.

One is the ceremony of the monarch, the palace.

One is secular ceremony, folk houses.