Chapter 13 Section 2 Taoist Architecture Art

Taoist architecture has some characteristics that are different from Buddhist architecture.Taoist teachings say that people can become immortal gods through practice, and most of the legendary gods live in famous mountains and seas. The construction of temples in famous mountains and blessed places reflects its advocacy of nature and pursuit of otherworldly ideas.In the Ming Dynasty, large-scale Taoist buildings were concentrated in Mount Wudang, Hubei, and in Qingcheng Mountain, Sichuan, in the Qing Dynasty.Taoism believes that immortals like to live in buildings so that they can get close to the heavenly palace, so pavilions have become one of the characteristics of Taoist architecture.The place where Taoism worships gods is called Guan.That is to say, it is convenient to watch the stars on the pavilions, so Taoist temples are called temples later, and the large temples are called palaces, and the smaller temples are also called Taoist temples.In many Taoist temples, Wangxian Tower, Juxian Tower and Wanxian Tower are built, all of which have the meaning of climbing the tower to seek immortality.In some Taoist temples, there is also a kind of decoration called "Tiangong Pavilion", which is a wooden pavilion model placed on the indoor wall or ceiling, as a symbol of Qionglou in the Eastern Sea.

Taoism regards Lao Tzu as its leader, but it is also a polytheistic religion. The idols enshrined in Taoist temples range from Sanqing to Chenghuang and Zaojun, covering a wide range of objects.The Sanqing Hall of Xuanmiao Temple in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province enshrines the three statues of Taishang Laojun, Yuanshi Tianzun, and the Lord Tongtian; The bronze statue of Xia Yuanjun, but the appearance of these halls is the same as that of ordinary halls, there is nothing special.In terms of the layout of the building complex, the Taoist temple also adopts a regular central axis, with the main building in the center and several courtyards in front and back.Some Taoist temples in Qingcheng Mountain and Wudang Mountain are arranged according to the terrain, and the layout is based on the mountain.