Glossary
Asymmetry (in gardens)
The deliberate lack of perfect balance or mirroring in design, particularly in Chinese classical gardens, to mimic the natural, organic flow of nature.
Example:
Unlike the formal palace buildings, a traditional Chinese garden embraces asymmetry, with winding paths and irregularly placed rock formations to create a naturalistic landscape.
Book of Songs (诗经 shījīng)
The earliest anthology of Chinese poetry, compiled between the 11th and 7th centuries BCE, containing folk songs and hymns that reflect ancient life and beliefs.
Example:
When learning about ancient Chinese society, students often read excerpts from the 诗经 to understand the daily lives and rituals of people from that era.
Carvings (in architecture)
Decorative elements sculpted into wood, stone, or other materials on Chinese buildings, often depicting stories, mythical creatures, or natural motifs.
Example:
The intricate carvings on the eaves and pillars of ancient temples often tell tales from folklore or history.
Colored paintings (in architecture)
Vibrant artistic decorations applied to the surfaces of Chinese buildings, often indicating the building's status or function and depicting various scenes or patterns.
Example:
The bright red pillars and golden roofs of imperial buildings are adorned with elaborate colored paintings that signify their importance.
Cí Poetry (词 cí)
A form of classical Chinese poetry that emerged during the Song Dynasty, characterized by its adherence to specific rhythmic patterns and tunes, often expressing personal emotions.
Example:
Unlike the more formal Tang poems, 词 poems were often sung to popular melodies, making them feel more like ancient pop songs.
Feng Shui (风水 fēngshuǐ)
An ancient Chinese practice of arranging buildings and objects to create harmony and balance with the surrounding environment, believed to bring good fortune.
Example:
Before building a new house, some people consult a 风水 master to ensure the layout and orientation promote positive energy flow.
Horizontal Emphasis
A key characteristic of traditional Chinese architecture where buildings are designed to spread out horizontally rather than vertically, creating a sense of grandeur and stability.
Example:
The sprawling design of the Forbidden City, with its wide courtyards and low-rise halls, perfectly illustrates the concept of horizontal emphasis.
Imperial examination system (科举制度 kējǔ zhìdù)
A civil service examination system in imperial China used to select candidates for government positions based on their knowledge of classics and literary skills, including poetry.
Example:
To become a government official, scholars had to pass the rigorous 科举制度, which often required memorizing and composing complex poetry.
National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆 zhōngguó guójiā bówùguǎn)
One of the largest and most visited museums in the world, located in Beijing, which showcases a comprehensive collection of Chinese history and culture from ancient times to the present.
Example:
To get a complete overview of China's long and diverse history, a visit to the 中国国家博物馆 is highly recommended.
Palace Museum (故宫博物院 gùgōng bówùyuàn)
The official name for the Forbidden City after it was converted into a public museum, housing an extensive collection of imperial artifacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Example:
Today, the 故宫博物院 allows millions of visitors to explore the former imperial residence and its priceless treasures.
Symmetry (in buildings)
The principle of balanced proportions and identical forms on opposite sides of a central axis, commonly applied in traditional Chinese architectural design for a sense of order and dignity.
Example:
The main halls of imperial palaces often exhibit perfect bilateral symmetry, with identical structures mirrored on either side of the central path.
Tang Dynasty Poetry
Refers to the period during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) when Chinese poetry reached its peak in terms of volume, diversity, and artistic achievement.
Example:
Many famous poets like Li Bai and Du Fu lived during the Tang Dynasty Poetry era, creating masterpieces that are still celebrated today.
Terracotta Army Museum (秦始皇兵马俑 qínshǐhuáng bīngmǎyǒng)
A museum in Xi'an, Shaanxi, housing thousands of life-sized terracotta sculptures of soldiers, horses, and chariots, created to guard the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Example:
The sheer scale and detail of the figures at the 秦始皇兵马俑 are breathtaking, showcasing ancient Chinese craftsmanship.
The Forbidden City (紫禁城 zǐjìnchéng)
A vast imperial palace complex in Beijing, built in the 15th century, that served as the home of Chinese emperors and the ceremonial and political center for nearly 500 years.
Example:
Walking through the grand gates of 紫禁城 gives visitors a sense of the immense power and history of China's imperial past.
Three Hundred Tang Poems (唐诗三百首 tángshī sānbǎi shǒu)
A popular and influential anthology of Tang Dynasty poems, widely used for centuries to introduce students to classical Chinese poetry.
Example:
Many Chinese students begin their study of classical literature by memorizing poems from the 唐诗三百首, a foundational collection.
Water and hill stones (in gardens)
Essential elements in Chinese classical gardens, representing the natural landscape and embodying the Yin Yang philosophy through their contrasting yet complementary forms.
Example:
A well-designed Chinese garden will always feature carefully placed water and hill stones, symbolizing mountains and rivers in miniature.
中国古典园林 (zhōngguó gǔdiǎn yuánlín)
Traditional Chinese classical gardens, designed to create miniature natural landscapes with elements like rocks, water, plants, and pavilions, often emphasizing asymmetry.
Example:
Suzhou is famous for its exquisite 中国古典园林, which are masterpieces of landscape design.
中国建筑 (zhōngguó jiànzhú)
Encompasses the traditional architectural styles and principles developed in China over millennia, characterized by features like horizontal emphasis and symmetry.
Example:
The unique rooflines and vibrant colors are distinctive features of 中国建筑.
博物馆 (bówùguǎn)
A museum, an institution that houses and displays collections of artifacts and exhibits of cultural, historical, or scientific interest.
Example:
We spent the entire afternoon exploring the new art 博物馆.
和睦 (hémù)
Describes harmony, particularly in the context of interpersonal relationships or a peaceful coexistence among people.
Example:
The family lived in 和睦, always supporting each other.
和谐 (héxié)
Describes harmony, often in a broader sense, referring to a balanced and pleasing relationship between different elements or parts, such as in art or society.
Example:
The colors in the painting created a sense of perfect 和谐.
和谐共存 (héxié gòngcún)
The concept of harmonious co-existence, emphasizing peaceful and balanced living together, often applied to different cultures, species, or elements.
Example:
The goal of the community project was to achieve 和谐共存 between urban development and natural habitats.
彩色画 (cǎisè huà)
Refers to colored paintings, specifically those used as decorative elements on traditional Chinese buildings.
Example:
The intricate 彩色画 on the beams of the Forbidden City depict auspicious symbols and historical scenes.
美丽 (měilì)
Beautiful; describes something aesthetically pleasing or attractive.
Example:
The sunset over the lake was truly 美丽.
自然 (zìrán)
Refers to nature or the natural world, a concept often reflected in Chinese art and philosophy, especially in garden design.
Example:
Chinese classical gardens aim to mimic the beauty and flow of 自然, creating a tranquil escape.
花园 (huāyuán)
A general term for a garden, often referring to the naturalistic and asymmetrical spaces found in traditional Chinese design.
Example:
Many traditional Chinese homes include a small 花园 for relaxation and contemplation.
融洽 (róngqià)
Describes harmony, specifically referring to a congenial and well-adjusted relationship, often between individuals or groups.
Example:
The team members worked together in 融洽, leading to great success.
雕刻品 (diāokè pǐn)
Refers to carvings or sculpted works, often found as decorative and narrative elements in Chinese architecture and art.
Example:
The detailed 雕刻品 on ancient furniture often tell stories or depict mythological creatures.