Chinese Architecture
Bianjing (Kaifeng today) was the capital of the Song dynasty from 960-1279. However, it was burned in 1127 and there are no remains today. It was able to be interpreted that Bianjing was “a city of towers”. Architect Yu Hao built one of the tallest towers in 989 and it was 306 feet. These towers originated from the smaller, more simple ones built by the Tang Dynasty. However, the Bianjing towers were much more complex and detailed. For example, they had temple halls that were two or three stories. Seen to the right is the “Timber pagoda of the Fogong Temple, 1056, Song dynasty; at Yingxian, Shanxi province, China”. These temples resembled the Turbe structures from the Turkish mausoleums. The winged angles of the roof, as well as the shorter tower structures are replicated in this taller tower, even though it has more stories. Some of the Turbe were as tall as 200 feet, so this particular tower is taking aspects of both of the Turbes shown on the Turkish Architecture page. The hexagonal shape of the building is not very common, so this is a strong reflection of the Islamic influence on Chinese architecture.
One aspect of Chinese architecture is the use of timber wood. Paintings and carvings were added to the timber to decorate the buildings. Wooden posts structure the buildings, while the walls that divide rooms actually do not carry the weight of the building. Beautiful designs were painted on the wood and ceilings of buildings in order to make the wood more appealing. An example that was painted in a pavilion is shown below. The designs in Chinese architecture are similar to the designs put on Turkish mosques, such as in the one to the bottom right. While the Chinese designs are not religious, they are bright and decorative. The example below shows a focus on geometric designs and symmetry. In the Turkish mosque to the right, geometric design and symmetry is also a main component. They also show the level of skill and creativity that is prevalent throughout the Mongolian empire. Genghis Khan actually tended to spare the lives of craftsmen, instead murdering unskilled workers, upper class, and military opponents, resulting in a high level of skill throughout the empire. Although the example in the mosque does not have such bright colors as the Chinese example, the overlap in design, style, and application shows the Islamic influence.
Bianjing (Kaifeng today) was the capital of the Song dynasty from 960-1279. However, it was burned in 1127 and there are no remains today. It was able to be interpreted that Bianjing was “a city of towers”. Architect Yu Hao built one of the tallest towers in 989 and it was 306 feet. These towers originated from the smaller, more simple ones built by the Tang Dynasty. However, the Bianjing towers were much more complex and detailed. For example, they had temple halls that were two or three stories. Seen to the right is the “Timber pagoda of the Fogong Temple, 1056, Song dynasty; at Yingxian, Shanxi province, China”. These temples resembled the Turbe structures from the Turkish mausoleums. The winged angles of the roof, as well as the shorter tower structures are replicated in this taller tower, even though it has more stories. Some of the Turbe were as tall as 200 feet, so this particular tower is taking aspects of both of the Turbes shown on the Turkish Architecture page. The hexagonal shape of the building is not very common, so this is a strong reflection of the Islamic influence on Chinese architecture.
One aspect of Chinese architecture is the use of timber wood. Paintings and carvings were added to the timber to decorate the buildings. Wooden posts structure the buildings, while the walls that divide rooms actually do not carry the weight of the building. Beautiful designs were painted on the wood and ceilings of buildings in order to make the wood more appealing. An example that was painted in a pavilion is shown below. The designs in Chinese architecture are similar to the designs put on Turkish mosques, such as in the one to the bottom right. While the Chinese designs are not religious, they are bright and decorative. The example below shows a focus on geometric designs and symmetry. In the Turkish mosque to the right, geometric design and symmetry is also a main component. They also show the level of skill and creativity that is prevalent throughout the Mongolian empire. Genghis Khan actually tended to spare the lives of craftsmen, instead murdering unskilled workers, upper class, and military opponents, resulting in a high level of skill throughout the empire. Although the example in the mosque does not have such bright colors as the Chinese example, the overlap in design, style, and application shows the Islamic influence.
Traditional Chinese Architecture
There are elements of the traditional Chinese architecture as well as Islam influenced architecture in China. Traditional Chinese mosques combine Chinese and Western Asian styles of architecture. They contained courtyards and minarets, where prayer was called upon five times a day. Additionally, they had decorated archways or an attached building that usually stood in front of the main gate that was made of wood. Traditional Chinese mosques also had a “Hall of Prayer” with a bucket shaped arch and a wooden frame. Inside the mosques, the minarets, and the corridors, carvings highlight the Chinese beliefs and characteristics. Similarly, many of the walls were decorated with artwork such as flower patterns. The traditional Chinese architecture was supposed to emphasize religion and a peaceful atmosphere. One example is the Ox Street Mosque in Beijing, also known as Niujie Mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques built in 996 during Liao dynasty and reconstructed during the Quing dynasty.
Works Cited
"Ancient Chinese Architecture." Travel China Guide. TravelChinaGuide.com, 2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2014.
"Beijing Ox Street Mosque, Niujie Mosque, Muslim House." Beijing Ox Street Mosque, Niujie Mosque, Muslim House. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.