Religious Architecture

Chinese Altar and Temple Architecture

The worship of heaven and Earth, the sun and moon, gods and spirits, and ancestors and celebrities was a principal part of the spiritual life of all ancient Chinese people, from emperors to commoners. Alters were set up to deities, and galls and shrines were built to commemorate ancestors. The special styles of such edifices are indicated by the term "altar and temple architecture." Alters at which emperors worshipped Heacen and Eathh, the temples for the worship of Confucius, found all over China, and shrines to Guan Yu, a renowned general of the Three Kingdoms period(200-265), later deified. Temples and shrines for ancestral worship include the Imperial Ancestral Temple and a host of memorial halls for the worship of the ancestors of commoners, also found all over China. There altars, temples and shrines vary in shape from place to place and between ethnic groups.

It is difficult to estimate how many temples there are throughout China. The word temple in English means: a building dedicated to religious ceremonies or worship. So, I included all religious buildings which consisted of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam and other religions into Chinese Temples to write this channel.

Tiantan
Tiantan (Altar of Heaven or Temple of Heaven)was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties presided over ceremonies to worship Heaven. It is located in the southern part of Beijing. The main structures are Huanqiutan(Cirular Mound), Huangqiongyu(Imperial Vault of Heaven) and Qiniandian(Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest). Looking northward from Huanqiutan, we can see that Huangqiongyu and qiniandian are situated on same northsouth axis.

The Coffered Ceiling of Huangqingyu
Inside Huangqiongyu, eight pillars support curved roof beams which constitute a triple round ceiling narrowing to a vault.Decorated with dragon patterns and the dark green of the cofferde ceiling contrasting with the red color of the coffered ceiling contrasting with the red color of the pillars, this ceiling is counted among the most beautiful vaulted ceilings in ancient Chinese architecture.

Huangquingyu
Huangquingyu was where the memorial tablet of the "Heavenly Emperor," the supreme deity,used to be enshrined. Situated on a round stone terrace, it is around structure in its round structure in its plan view, with a conical roof covered with blue glazed tiles. The round shoope of the structure and the blue color of the roof have the conotation of heaven.

The Coffered Ceiling of Qiniandian
Four pillars support the round vaulted ceiling of Qiniandian, which is painted in gorgeous colors. The pillars represent the four seasons.

Qiniandian was a place where the emperor prayed for good harvests. It is a round structure in its plan view, with a triple roof covered with blue glazed tite. It stands on a circular three-tiered stone terrace. With the bule sky in the background, Qiniandian looks resplendent and imposing.

Religious Architecture

Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are three main religions in China. Although they have never acquired such important roles to be considered to dominate the political system in China's history as Christianity or Islam has done to some western countries. However, they do have deep influence on the development of China's politics, philosophy, art and social cultures. Chinese temples, range in size from back-alley Taoist hut to magnificent Tibetan Buddhist Drepung Monastery, the largest and richest monastery, which covers an area of over 200 thousand square meters.

The main religions of ancient China were Buddhism,Taoism and Islamism, of which Buddhism was the most widespread. As a result, Buddist temples and towers are found all over China, and have become important components of the country's ancient architecture.

Buddhism came to China from India as early as in the Han Dynasty. Right from the start, Buddhist temples and pagodas adopoted traditional Chinese architectural forms. For instance, the temples consisted of single-story structures built around one or more courtyards, often containing wooden or brick pagodas. Later, there appeared many other forms, such as the multiple-eaved design, diamong throne design and Lamaist dagobadesin.

Taoism is the only religion which originated in china. The structure of Taoist temples and shrines is typically atraditional courtyard layout.

Islam came to China in the seventh century or so. Its temples are called mosques, which contain no picture or statues. Disciples kneel and pray facing the holy city of Mecca. The mosques still keep the original pattern and style of those in the Middle East, making thmen special in Chinese religious architecture.

Generally speaking, Buddhist architecture follow the imperial style. A large Buddhist monastery normally has a front hall, housing the statue of a Bodhisattva, followed by a great hall, housing the statues of the Buddhas. Accommodations for the monks and the nuns are located at the two sides. Buddhist monasteries sometimes also have pagodas, which may house the relics of the Gautama Buddha; older pagodas tend to be four-sided, while later pagodas usually have eight-sides.

Taoist architecture, on the other hand, usually follow the commoners' style. The main entrance is, however, usually at the side, out of superstition about demons which might try to enter the premise. (See feng shui.) In contrast to the Buddhists, in a Taoist temple the main deity is located at the main hall at the front, the lesser deities at the back hall and at the sides.

- Taoism Architecture
- Buddhist Architecture