Chinese Temples

The application of Feng Shui could be found in almost all the ancient Chinese architectures, especially Chinese Temples. We have to remember that Feng Shui is not a kind of religion. Thus the use of Feng Shui in constructions was not conflicting with the religions practiced in temples. In the contrary, it was actually important that the construction of religious temples adopted the rules of Feng Shui, in order to have auspicious environment for their deities and pilgrims. 

Chinese Temples can be classified into five main category: Si寺, Gong宫, Miao庙, Ci祠and An庵.

Si: The largest kind of temple for Buddhism.

Miao: Smaller than Si, used for sacrificing to ancestor.

Gong: Taoist temples, the size is smaller than Miao.

Ci: Built to respect the ancestor and Confucius.

An: nunneries for Female Buddhists.

The structural system of temples adopted the typical beam-framed system, which were widely used in the construction of palatial buildings. The roof form included hipped roof, gabled roof, half-hipped half gabled style roof and so on. The more ornaments the roof has, the more important the temple is. And the use of color obeyed the Five Elements scheme of Feng Shui to achieve the balance of Yin (negative) and Yang (positive). Roof ridges and ornaments both outside and inside the temple were also created to conform the Feng Shui. Moreover, since odd number represents Yang, the number of steps of the staircase had be a Yang number. Last but not least, the site choosing must follow the instruction of Feng Shui.

The Temple of Heaven

The main structure of The Temple of Heaven is Qi Nian Dian. Situated on a podium of three marble terraces, Qi Nian Dian is covered with three circular roofs. The number “three” here is Yang number that stands for power and dynamic. The blue tiles on the roof symbolize the heavenly bless. 

The interior has two concentric circles of columns. Each circles contains twelve columns that represents the twelve months of year. The ceiling is generously ornate, indicating the significance of this royal temple.

Wo Fo Si

Situated in Beijing, Wo Fo Si was built in Tang dynasty. The impressive masonry gateway was the first thing that catches people’s eyes. With three brick archways, the red gate was richly ornamented with green and yellow glazed tiles.

Bi Yun Si

Built in Yuan dynasty, the style of Bi Yun Si was influenced by the India and the Lamaism. The surrounding woods, hills and springs uplift the temple from the mountain.