A Study Of The Grand Courtyard Of The Wang Family From Chinese Traditional Culture

The building of Chinese traditional dwelling houses involves abound humanity idea, spiritual feelings, many aspects of value and the ideal of appreciation of the beautiful. Indeed it has taken up a very important place in the Chinese and even in the world architectural history. Under the influence of the deep psychological structure of Shanxi merchant culture, the dwelling houses of Shanxi have formed their own features on the architecture and decoration, and achieve a harmonious relationship between the human and the nature. Indeed it is inseparable with our country's traditional and deep philosophy ideology.As you know, the Courtyard of the Wang Family, situated at Jingshen Town in the hinterland of Shanxi Province, represents an outstanding example in the dwelling houses of the district of Middle Jin. It is built according to the topography of the mountain in picturesque disorder: row upon row of houses and layer upon layer of courtyards look like fish scales and comb teeth, providing victors with magnificent views and multifunctional accommodations. It not only reflects the cultural combination of the Confucian with the officeholder, and the merchant; but also embodies the perfect integration of the Confucian ethic system, the harmony between the human and the nature, and the traditional geomantic theory. All of these are inseparable with our traditional philosophy with deep inside meaning.Moreover, the Wang Courtyard is an embodiment of the technology and folk-custom. The propitions arts and crafts, which include the woodcarving, stone carving, and brick carving, exhibit the people's best wishes, and reflect extensively and typically theirs desire to acquire happiness richness and perfect satisfaction in our traditional agricultural economy society. These Chinese decorative styles are one of the basic characteristics of the Chinese ancient architecture, and worthy of our study.