Basic Cultural Attributes of Chinese Ancient Buildings

First of all, the wooden frame is the primary feature of ancient Chinese architecture: that is, on the basis of the breadth and depth of the house, stone foundations are set, then columns are set on the stone foundations, and then beams are erected on the columns, that is, "four beams and eight columns" are connected between beams and columns. The beams and beams are supported by frames, purlins and rafters, which support and rely on each other. The weight of the roof or floor is supported by the wooden frame, and then transmitted to the wooden columns through the beam frame, and the wooden columns are transmitted to the ground, In addition, the use of tenon and mortise structure and bucket arch technology makes this wooden structure have the function of resisting external forces, thus becoming a building form with complex structure, strict technology, solid and firm structure and "no house collapses".

Secondly, in line with the form of wooden frame, ancient buildings have formed some basic features:

1, the foundation of the building. The platform base is higher than the ground, moisture-proof and rainproof, which can heighten and foil the building's prestige. The more important the building is, the higher the platform will be. With the help of the scattered platforms, the single-layer buildings gathered together form the appearance of a large building similar to a multi-storey pavilion, which is magnificent and precipitous.

2, the arch and eaves. The eaves of ancient buildings extend far, which not only protects the rammed earth foundation, earth walls and peripheral wooden columns from rain erosion, but also increases the level of houses. The far-reaching eaves are carried out by brackets. The more far-reaching the eaves are, the more layers of brackets will be. Dougong, a building component, not only has structural functions, but also has a strong decorative role.

3, roofs of various shapes. The roof shape is the most artistic part. Under the patriarchal system, it is also the main symbol to measure the level of buildings. The order of rank from high to low is the Wudian Roof （庑殿顶）, Xieshan Roof（歇山顶）, Xuanshan Rof（悬山顶）and Yingshan Roof（硬山顶） . The double eaves of the Cunsheng roof are higher than the single eaves.

4, roof ridge animals and oil decoration culture. At both ends of the ridge of some large ancient buildings, dragon, phoenix, lion, Tianma, seahorse, lion dragon, fish, mistletoe, bullfight and other animals are installed according to the ritual system. Wooden buildings are moistureproof and anti-corrosion. At the same time, in order to increase the aesthetic appearance, they are generally painted and decorated with color. The patterns and colors of architectural color paintings were strictly prescribed in ancient times.