Chiou, B.S.

English

This text-based study aims to refute the position of daoqi(*) fentu which,
held by several sinologists, is interpreted by the author as meaning the
absence of theory in the art of bUIlding in China of mid-imperial and later
times. In method, a cosmological schema is first established and its presence
shown throughout all architectural writings, identified by the author as standing
for different 'ratios' between theory and practice, so as to verify an
uninterrupted connection between the two. A prerequisite for the whole
research is that Yangzhai (human dwellings) writings are recognised as part of
the proper documentation for Chinese architectural studies.

The conceptual schema is extracted from a broad survey of Chinese culture
within the scope of the Chinese cosmological adage that "tiilnyuan difang'
("heaven round, earth square"). This results in the identification of an inner
structure, the interplay of cyclicity and fixity.

The writings for examination are grouped in three categories: the scholarly
literature (theory), Yangzhai writings (intermediary), and building craftsmen's
manuals (practice). All three are examined selectively in order to explore
several representative common themes. The conclusion is that the interplay of
cyclicity and fixity is fully perceptible in one way or another in all of them. In
this way the thesis is supported.

However, this does not mean that the position of daoqi(*) fentu is
invalidated in all its aspects; rather, the completion of the study provides only a
piece of counter-evidence. Also, the dates of the major materials available
allow the research only to reflect the situation of late imperial times

Chiou, Bor-Shuenn

Edinburgh Research Archive

'Heaven round, earth square': architectural cosmology in late imperial China

https://era.ed.ac.uk/bitstream/1842/6990/1/534033.pdf

'Heaven round, earth square': architectural cosmology in late imperial China

Abstract

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