中英雙語話中國民風民俗 第12期:中國建築

The basic feature of Chinese architecture is rectangular units of space joined together into a whole. Temples in ancient Greece also employed rectangular spaces，but the overall effect had austere tendencies. By contrast, the Chinese style combines rectangular shapes varying in size and position according to importance into an organic whole with each level and component clearly distinguished. As a result，traditional Chinese style buildings have an imposing yet dynamic exterior.

中國建築的基本特徵是將矩形空間單位連成一個整體。古希臘的廟宇也採用了矩形空間，但是整體效果傾向於樸素。與此相反，中式建築則根據各種大小和位置的矩形體的重要性將其連成一個整體，同時每一層和每個組成部分都明顯地得到突出。這使得中式建築物威嚴且不失活力。

Traditional Architecture

傳統建築

Ancient Chinese architecture enjoys a long history and great achievements,and created many architectural miracles such as the Great Wall. In the process of its development, superior architectural techniques and artistic design were tombiped to make unique Chinese architecture one of the three greatest orchitectural systems.

中國的古代建築擁有悠久的歷史，取得過巨大的成就，它創造出長城等許多建築奇蹟。在它的發展過程中將出色的建築技巧和藝術設計結合在一起，從而使獨特的中國建築成爲最傑出三大建築體系之一。

The combinations of units of space in traditional Chinese architecture follow the principles of balance and symmetry. The main structure is the axis, and the secondary structures are positioned as two wings on each side to form the main rooms and yard. Residences，official buildings，temples，and palaces all follow these basic principles. The distribution of interior space reflects Chinese social and ethical values. For instance，in traditional residential buildings, members of a family are assigned living quarters based on the family hierarchy. The master of the house occupies the main room， and the elder members of the master's family live in the compound in the back. The younger members of the family live in the wings to the left and right; those with seniority on the left and the others on the right.

傳統中國建築在將空間單位聯成一體時遵循的是平衡與對稱的原則。主結構就是軸線，而次要結構則置於每一面的兩翼，從而構成主屋和院子。住宅、官方建築、寺院以及宮殿都遵循這些基本原則。內部空間的分配反映出中國的社會觀和倫理觀。例如在傳統的住宅建築中，一個家庭根據等級向其成員分配住房。一家之主住在主屋中，而這家的長輩則居住在後面建築中。這個家的年輕成員則居住在左右兩翼;資歷較高的居住左側，而其他人則住在右側。

Another characteristic of traditional Chinese architecture is its use of a wooden structural frame with pillars，beams, and earthen walls surrounding the building on three sides. The main door and windows are in front. Chinese have used wood as a main construction material for thousands of years;wood to the Chinese repreBents life, and "life" is the main idea that Chinese culture strives to feature has been preserved up to the present.

傳統中國建築的另一個特點就是它使用了木結構框架和桂子、樑以及三面環繞建築物的土牆。正門和窗戶位於前面。幾千年來，中國人將木頭作爲主要的建築材料;木頭對中國人來說代表着生命，而“生命”是中國文化力圖傳遞的主要思想，這一特點一直沿用至今。

Based on the structure of the wooden beams and pillars，traditional Chinese rectangular buildings are divided into several order to cover the structure with an over-hanging roof,the Chinese invented a special type of support bracket,called which both supports the and is an attractive ornamentation.

通過木樑和木柱的結構，中國傳統的矩形建築物被分割爲數間房間。爲了對結構使用高懸的房頂，中國人發明出一種被稱之爲斗拱的特殊支架，它既對結構起到支撐作用也是極富吸引力的裝飾。

Roofs usually slope down on both sides in a simple fashion. However, many traditional Chinese buildings have curved eaves. The characteristic curve of Chinese roofs is symbolic of the spirit of Chinese culture. While the building itself is relatively plain and straightforward，the ridge and eaves of the roof introduce a more intricate aspect in the form of upward-curving eaves. This is analogous to the Chinese national character which is by nature plain and straightforward but full of vitality.

房頂通常兩邊都以簡單的方式向下傾斜。但是許多傳統的中國建築都有曲檐。中國房頂上具有特點的弧線象徵着中國文化的精神。雖然建築物本身比較樸素、簡單，但是屋脊和屋檐卻以向上彎曲的屋檐形式告訴我們更爲複雜的一面。這與中國的國民性是一致的，即本質上很樸素、坦率但卻充滿活力。

Three special architectural features resulted from the use of wood first is that the depth and breadth of interior space is determined by the wooden structural frame. The second is the development of the technique of applying color lacquers to the structure to preserve the wood. These lacquers were made in brilliant，bold colors，and became one of the key identifying features of traditional Chinese architecture. Third is the technique of building a structure on a platform，to prevent damage from moisture. The height of the platform corresponds to the importance of the building. A high platform adds strength，sophistication，and stateliness to large buildings.

通過使用木料產生了三個特殊的建築特徵。第一就是內部空間的深度與寬度取決於木質結構框架。第二則是發展出在結構上使用彩色漆的技巧，這可以保護木料。這些漆使用了耀眼、醒目的色彩，而且成爲中國傳統建築的本質特徵之一。第三點就是在平臺上建造建築物的技巧，這避免了潮氣所產生的危害。平臺的高度與建築物的重要程度相對應。大型平臺使大型建築物更加富有力量、更加精密、更加莊嚴。

Timber framework decides that colour is the main ornament used on ancient Chinese architecture. In the beginning，paint was used on wood for antisepsis while later painting became an architectural ornament. In the feudal society，the use of colour was restricted according to strict social status e yellow was deemed noblest colour and green the second，they were often applied on palace painting，which was called Hexicaihua(a kind of Chinese colour painting)in Chinese. The sundry color murals found on a traditional Chinese building range from outlines of dragons and phoenixes to depictions of myths to paintings of landscapes，flowers, and birds. Clearly these color murals have both symbolic and aesthetic significance. One notable architectural development in southern China，particularly in Taiwan，is fine wood sculpture. Such sculptures coupled with murals give the structure an elegant and florid effect under the background of white granite basement.

木質框架決定了色彩是中國古代建築的主要裝飾。起初，油漆塗在木料上是爲了防腐，而之後油漆便成了一種建築裝飾。在封建社會中，根據嚴格的社會等級劃分而限制了色彩的使用。由於黃色被視爲最高貴的顏色而綠色次之，因此它們經常用於宮殿，這被漢語稱作和璽彩畫(一種中國彩畫)。在傳統中國建築上可以找到各式各樣的彩色壁畫，這其中有龍、鳳的輪廓，有對神話的敘述，也有風景、花卉、鳥類的畫作。很明顯，這些彩色壁畫具有象徵和審美意義。中國南方的一個突出的建築發展就是精美的木雕，這在臺灣尤爲突出。這些木雕加上壁畫以後，使結構在花崗岩底座的背景下產生了高雅、華麗的效果。

Modern Architecture

現代建築

As with many other elements of the Chinese culture，tradition has been interwoven with modern technology. Although many traditional buildings still exist，almost all new buildings are built in Western style. it's not uncommon to see skyscrapers in a large city of China. Traditional houses，however, are still exquisitely built.

和中國文化中其他許多要素一樣，傳統是和現代技術交織在一起的。雖然許多傳統建築物依然存在，但是幾乎所有的新式建築都是西式建築。摩天大樓在中國的大城市中並不罕見。但是傳統的房屋依然修建得十分精美。