A Study Into The Influence Of The Concept Of Yin-yang On Chinese Classical Gardens

The philosophy of Yin-yang, which is a crucial component of traditional Chinese culture, is a part of the basic core of Ancient Chinese thought and has exerted a profound influence on the integration and transmission of this thought over thousands of years. Chinese classical gardens were strongly influenced by the traditional concept of Yin-yang as they embody the ideological understanding the ancient Chinese had regarding the natural universe and human life. Yin-yang, which is a broad concept, is closely connected with classical gardens both within philosophy and the mythology. Reconceptualizing classical gardens within the framework of Yin-yang helps with the total and objective comprehension of the cultural essence of classical gardens and pioneers a new path to the analysis of classical gardens. The research adopts the twin approaches of desk research and exemplification, combined with an attempt to investigate the influence Yin-yang philosophy had on traditional building techniques from the perspectives of the symbolism of imagery, choice of sites and methods of construction, with the aims of firstly illuminating the cultural connotations of Yin-yang philosophy which exists behind the gardens and secondly of making a breakthrough in the mentality of modern landscape design.