The decoration, and symbolism in Ancient Chinese Architecture are not merely aesthetic representations but the expressions of the ancient Chinese people’s understanding of heaven and earth, human relationships.
Defining features of Ancient Chinese Architecture:
-Strict architectural hierarchy
-The upward-curving eaves, like bird wings, carry a deeper symbolism: the roof’s curves mimic the arc of the sky, the upturned eaves pointing towards the heavens, expressing the ancient Chinese worldview of “harmony between heaven and man”
-Bracket sets, the number of layers of the bracket sets were symbols of social status in a society governed by ritual. During Tang Empire, only places like palaces and temples were permitted to use seven-tiered Bracket sets, while commoners’ buildings were limited to the simplest bracket sets or prohibited from using them altogether.
-Painted beams and rafters, beams and rafters are often adorned with magnificent painted decorations, there is a rigorous system of symbols, some were used exclusively in royal buildings, some in official building and some in gardens.
-Hip-and-gable roof 歇山hit3saan1(hill)/팔작지붕/入母屋(いりもや), consists of a hip roof that slopes down on all four sides and integrates a gable on two opposing sides.
Meandering leads to perfection 