During April 16th, commemorating International Chinese language day, we met online with professor dr. Lu Xiaohong, who is a lecturer at our partner university, the East China Normal University. During the meeting, Lu Xiaohong presented an interesting and vivid lecture, which is titled “Built in Characters: the Architecture of Chinese Script”.
The first part of the lecture featured analysis of the deep connection that is found between Chinese characters and architecture, while on the second half of the lecture, the focus was on the cultural symbolism of Chinese characters, as well as their connection with Chinese thought, and worldview.
Chinese architecture is a unique collage of science and art. Within Chinese architecture, a uniquely Chinese concept can be found, the 风水 Fēng Shuǐ principle. This principle emphasizes harmony with the surroundings, orientation with the 4 directions, as well as the connection with nature. Additionally, during the lecture the importance of wood as a traditional building material was mentioned. Wood not only makes buildings more malleable, but it also gives protection from the elements, yet wood is also undoubtedly a part of old Chinese architectural traditions and aesthetics.
Chinese characters (汉字 Hànzì) ar logographic, in essence each symbol correlates to a specific object, idea or term. Characters aren’t just a way of writing, they are also an archive of Chinese culture, in which philosophical, architectural, or even aesthetic ideas are coded. Some characters are shaped using architectural principles, especially outlining symmetry and balance. For example, mén 门 („gate/door“) and zhōng 中 („center“). The latter, even being used as a guide on how to build the Forbidden City in Beijing, you can see the influence in the symmetry and harmonious layout within the Forbidden City.
Additionally, within Chinese characters, you can find the load, or burden principle, which is akin to a triangle, where the bottom symbols are holding up the upper symbol. For example sēn 森 („forest“) and jīng 晶 („crystal“) are both made of three identical symbols- the bottom ones are more dense because they simbolize a sturdier base. Chinese characters usually work like a puzzle, the pieces are called radicals, and they connect with other radicals to form characters. If you put kǒu „口“ (mouth) between mén „门“ (gate / door) , you will create wèn „问“ (speak/ ask), thus resulting in a new meaning.
Some radicals have an architectural or spatial meaning. For example mián 宀 („roof“) conveys a meaning of protection, or covering something, these meanings are clearly seen in the characters of jiā „家“ („family“) or ān „安“ („safety / calm“). On the other hand the radical of kǒu „口“ (mouth) conveys a meaning of an enclosed space, this can be seen in yuán „园“ („park“).
During the lecture other aspects of Chinese culture were also mentioned, they were specifically about the Chinese understanding of space and cosmology, the planning practices of building temples and gardens. To those who want to delve deeper into these themes, they are invited to watch the recording of the lecture: https://youtu.be/-WJXemBQT8o