SYMBOLIC MEANINGS OF CHINESE SPACE: THROUGH THE STUDY OF THE ARCHITECTURE IN MOVIE �RAISE THE RED LANTERN �

Abstract

This paper addresses the symbolic meanings attached to Chinese spaces, in particular the spaces of a courtyard house. It started off with an investigation into Phenomenology in Chinese architecture, seen through the architecture and cinematography shown in the movie, Raise the Red Lantern (大红灯笼高高挂, 1991) by Chinese director Zhang Yimou (张艺谋). Phenomenology in architecture talks about the concretization of the relationships between human beings and the natural world. This process of concretization results in symbolically meaningful architecture elements and spaces. It is in this perspective that this dissertation is written. The intention for this dissertation is to re-look at Chinese architecture through the eyes of Phenomenology, in the hope to gain insights into the symbolic meanings of the Chinese architectural elements and spaces. The study reveals that in Chinese architecture, there are generally two types of symbolic elements with different characteristics. First are the physical motifs, usually used in personal spaces as decorative elements. They symbolize the hope of the dwellers, and serve people in their identification with a place. Second are the architectural spaces, in particular the courtyard space in the context of this study. The symbolic meanings of spaces generally revolve around the “big picture”. They reveal the psychology of the culture, in the way the people sees themselves in relation to the environment. It is hoped that this discourse of symbolic meanings in Chinese spaces will go some way in revealing the psychology of the culture traditionally. Psychology of a culture plays an important part in architecture. In the light of this, there can then probably be an understanding into the creation of meaningful architecture, based on an understanding of the changes in the psychology of the society.