Preface
The houses built by the ancients, whether they were palaces or ordinary houses, had a common feature: they sat on the north and faced south. How has this ancient architectural tradition survived for thousands of years?
So, why did the ancients tend to choose this layout? Is the reason behind this due to feudal superstition Feng Shui, or is there a scientific basis? Or is it a combination of both? Let's find out.
1. Emperor Star Worship: The Root of the Royal Northbound Layout
In China's long history, the North Star has always been regarded as the supreme "emperor star". This worship stems from the arrangement of the 28 nakshatras, with the North Star being regarded as the most central location, the source of all things. Therefore, whether it is a palace or a private house, the layout of the house is invariably oriented to the north, as a way to express the devout worship of the "emperor star".
This practice has its roots in ancient Chinese feudal thinking. In the social concept of the time, "north" meant failure, while "south" meant success. Therefore, even if the house is located in the north, it is undoubtedly a sign of positivity. It is as if to say that no matter how big the setbacks are, we must move forward bravely and never "lose".
The roots of this belief can be traced back much further. In ancient Chinese myths and legends, the north is seen as a symbol of darkness and coldness, while the south represents light and warmth. This dualistic thinking of heaven and earth, yin and yang, has deeply influenced the values and aesthetic orientation of Chinese.
For the Royal, this north-facing layout has a special significance. Not only do they have to show their esteem, but they also have to prepare for future expansion. Because the north is the hinterland of the Central Plains, whoever controls the Central Plains will be able to rule the world. Therefore, the royal palace must be located at the northernmost point of the city in order to assert its supremacy.
It can be said that this northward layout not only stems from ancient Chinese beliefs, but is also a strategic consideration of imperial rule. It not only reflects the unique understanding of the Chinese about the yin and yang of heaven and earth, but also reflects the ambition and ambition of imperial power.
2. The revelation of the sundial: the special moment of the sun's arrival at noon
In ancient societies where there were no tools for precise timekeeping, people had to rely on changes in nature to calculate time. And the most common is the sundial. This simple timekeeping device has brought profound enlightenment to the ancients.
The sundial must be placed facing south, otherwise it is impossible to measure time accurately. By noon, the poles on the sundial overlapped with the south. In the eyes of the ancients, this phenomenon was a special moment when the sun god came.
For these ancients who worshipped the god of the sun, this was undoubtedly a sacred moment. They believe that if the layout of the house can echo the orientation of the sundial, it will be better integrated into the way of heaven and live in harmony with nature. This concept also reflects the ancient Chinese Taoist thought - "the unity of heaven and man".
Under the influence of this belief, it became a common practice to sit on the layout of houses facing north and south. Not only that, but even the tombs of ancient celebrities mostly follow this principle. They believe that only in this way can they truly conform to the laws of heaven and earth and obtain eternal peace.
This observation and interpretation of sundials undoubtedly reflects the ancient Chinese's keen insight into the natural world. Not only are they able to measure time accurately, but they can also discover deeper philosophical meanings in it. The crystallization of this wisdom is a treasure of Chinese civilization.
In the absence of modern technology, they were able to create such an elaborate architectural layout with their careful observation of nature. This kind of pious pursuit of the way of heaven is undoubtedly lacking in us modern people.
3. Feng Shui Theory: Yin and Yang balance and mountains and rivers depend on each other
In China's long cultural tradition, the doctrine of Feng Shui plays an important role. This unique system of thought not only influenced the architectural layout of the ancients, but even extended to the design of tombs.
The core of Feng Shui is the theory of yin and yang. It believes that everything in the world follows the law of yin and yang. In this concept, "south" represents yang, while "north" symbolizes yin. The so-called "the south of the mountain and the north of the water are yang, and the north of the mountain and the south of the water are yin" is the concrete embodiment of this idea.
Therefore, the layout of the house facing north and south was the best feng shui choice in the eyes of the ancients. This orientation can not only achieve the balance of yin and yang, but also "hide the wind and gather water", creating an ideal living environment.
The influence of this belief even extends to the tombs of ancient celebrities. They believe that only by sitting in a tomb facing north and facing south can they truly conform to the laws of heaven and earth and obtain eternal peace. This pious pursuit of the laws of nature undoubtedly reflects the unique values of the Chinese.
It is important to note that this Feng Shui doctrine did not originate entirely from feudal superstition. In fact, there is a certain amount of science behind it. For example, the south has more sunlight, which is conducive to the lighting of houses; The cold winds in the north are even colder, and houses facing north and south are better able to withstand them. This accurate grasp of the climate and environment reflects the wisdom of the ancients.
When we look back on this period of history today, we can't help but marvel at the profound insight of the ancients into the natural world. Not only will they be able to find the best place to live in Feng Shui, but they will also be able to discover deeper philosophical meanings.
4. Scientific considerations: the advantages of lighting, heating and ventilation
For the layout of the house facing north and south, the ancients not only had profound cultural beliefs, but also had scientific support. This architectural wisdom undoubtedly reflects the Chinese's accurate grasp of the natural environment.
The first is the issue of lighting. In ancient societies where there was no electric lighting, the lighting of the house was crucial. The south is the best place for daylighting, and the south-facing houses can maximize the use of sunlight and avoid a dark and oppressive environment. This not only benefits the mental health of the occupants, but also improves productivity.
The second is the issue of heating. During the cold winter months, the warmth of the house is crucial. Snow tends to melt before the north in the south, because the sun shines longer in the south. As a result, houses facing north and south can make the most of solar energy, which greatly improves the heating effect. This was a very practical design in the days when there were no modern heating equipment.
Of course, the high temperatures of the summer are also a matter to consider. However, the ancient wooden houses were prone to dampness after heavy rains, which became a hidden danger. The houses facing north and south can not only dry quickly under the sun, but also play a role in disinfection and sterilization, which is beneficial to the health of the occupants.
From a geographical point of view, this layout can also better adapt to China's climate and environment. With the northwest cold snap in winter and the southeast monsoon in summer, houses facing north and south can effectively resist the cold wind, ventilate and cool down, and prevent the growth of bacteria. This precise grasp of climate change reflects the wisdom of the ancients.
When we look back on this period of history today, we can't help but marvel at the profound insight of the ancients into the natural world. Not only will they be able to find the best place to live in terms of cultural beliefs, but they will also be able to discover their strengths from a scientific point of view.
Fifth, the royal strategic considerations: the Central Plains as the base, southward expansion
For the ancient royal family, the layout of the house facing north and south not only had cultural beliefs and scientific basis, but also had special strategic considerations. This layout not only demonstrated the revered status of the dynasty, but also laid the foundation for future territorial expansion.
In China's long history, the capitals of most dynasties were located in the north, near the hinterland of the Central Plains. This is because of the ancient belief that "whoever wins the Central Plains wins the world". The Central Plains region is not only a major grain producing area, but also the birthplace of culture. Therefore, whoever can control the Central Plains will be able to rule the whole world.
However, controlling the Central Plains alone is not enough. The ancient emperors also aspired to expand southward and occupy the "land of fish and rice" in order to enrich the treasury and strengthen their own strength. Therefore, they laid out the palace to sit in the north and face south, which not only symbolized the rule of the south, but also symbolized the ability to accept the worship of all the people and realize the grand wish of dominating the world.
This layout gave the emperor great spiritual sustenance. They believed that as long as they sat in the north and faced the south, they would be able to start from the Central Plains, slowly move south, and finally realize the dream of great unification. This desire for territorial expansion reflects the ambitions and aspirations of the ancient emperors.
It is worth noting that this layout is not only conducive to strategic deployment, but also better adapted to China's geographical environment. With the cold winds in the north and the sunshine in the south, houses facing north and south make the most of natural resources and create a more comfortable environment for the occupants. This precise grasp of climate change reflects the wisdom of the ancients.
epilogue
The layout of the house facing north and south is the crystallization of ancient Chinese architectural wisdom. It not only incorporates the Feng Shui beliefs and scientific considerations of the ancients, but also reflects the strategic intentions of the emperor. This layout is not only suitable for China's climate and environment, but also contains the essence of Chinese culture.
When we look back on this period of history today, we can't help but sigh at the wisdom of the ancients. In the absence of modern technology, they were able to create such an elaborate architectural layout with their careful observation of nature.
We should cherish this crystallization of wisdom, only in this way can we truly understand the intrinsic value of Chinese civilization and contribute more wisdom to the world. Let's learn from the ancients, understand the world with a more open mind, and discover more mysteries from it.