The Classification of Ancient Chinese Architecture

    The feudal society in China had a strict hierarchy, and architectural art in ancient times also fully reflected this characteristic. The grade of ancient buildings is mainly distinguished from the roof, foundation, width, arch of wooden architecture, decoration, column color and other aspects, of which the grade difference of roof is the most obvious.

    The style of the roof according to the order of hierarchy are: hipped roof, gable-on-hip roof, pyramidal roof, overhanging gable roof, hard top roofl and so on. In addition, the roof is divided into single eaves and double eaves, and the double eaves roof is larger than the single eaves.

    The beast on the roof refers to the squatting beast sculpted on the ridges of the four wings of the palace. The more beasts, the higher the level, with a maximum of 11 beasts. The beasts on temple buildings are mostly odd in number (odd in number indicates innocence).

    The distinction of platform level is simple: those with more levels are greater than those with fewer levels; The white jade platform foundation is larger than other materials; Those with fences are greater than those without fences.
    Number of rooms with wide surface: "Room" refers to a space composed of 4 columns, while the number of rooms with wide surface refers to the number of rooms with wide lateral width. 10 columns have a width of 9 rooms, and 6 columns have a width of 5 rooms. The higher the number of rooms, the higher the level. Generally, the number of rooms is odd, and the nine to five rooms symbolize the "reverence of the emperor"

                                               
    Arch of wooden architecture: big trunk with arch of wooden architecture but no arch of wooden architecture: arch of wooden architecture is more than arch of wooden architecture is small.
    Decoration: Dragon pattern is greater than animal pattern, and animal pattern is greater than other patterns.

                                                 
    Column color: Gold (yellow) color is greater than red color, and black color is greater than other colors. Gold (yellow) color is a noble color that represents the central position in the Five Elements theory. Since the Tang Dynasty, yellow has been designated as a special color for the royal family.