The Research On History And Protection Of The Religious Constructions In Nan Yue

The religious construction, a main part of architecture, was separated from buildings of common purposes and developed alone in order to perform religious ceremony, and accommodate religious organization and clergy. But its development was also under continual influence of the development of civil buildings. The religious constructions in Nanyue (i.e. Mt Hengshan located in Hunan Province, one of the Five Sacred Mountains in China), as a part of Chinese traditional religious construction, have unique features for its unique geographical environment. The religious constructions in Nanyue are reasonable and applicable in their functions, harmonious and united with natural environment. Meanwhile, it is of special theoretical and practical significance in terms of philosophy, esthetics, study of environment, folk culture, regional culture, and etc. The thesis, with the historical evolution and protection of the religious constructions in Nanyue as the research category, makes a comparatively comprehensive and thorough research into the history, architectural characteristics, cultural implications, and protection and exploitation. Based on architectural semiology, the thesis analyzes architectural characteristics of the religious constructions in Nanyue, which include site choice, general layout, spatial pattern, framework, structure, decoration, space and so on.From the perspective of the theory of religious culture, the thesis analyzes cultural characteristics of the religious constructions in Nanyue, including folk-customs, the Chinese traditional longevity culture, the integration between Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, exchange and spread of religious culture, and custom of pilgrimage and so on. In this thesis the author also discuss the protection of the old religious constructions and shortcomings of the newly-built religious constructions in Nanyue. The author suggests that the government of Nanyue should develop the religious tour by establishing four architectural and cultural rings.The religious constructions in Nanyue are an entire reflection of the integration between religious culture and religious construction. The study of the religious constructions in Nanyue points out a research field for the deep understanding of the relationship between culture and architecture.This thesis, based on the relationship between culture and architecture, studies the religious constructions in Nanyue. The thesis also explores the influence of the religious architecture on the modern building design, advocates designing new religious constructions with modern Chinese characteristics by breaking down the restrictions of the traditional architecture. Furthermore the thesis is also intended to offer evidences for the application by the government of Nanyue for the World Natural and Cultural Heritage.