Bulletin of Catholic University of Peking

34 BULLETIN NUMBER FOUR

Peking

rows of rafters and brackets. Everywhere the severity of the lines is tempered by means of graceful detail-work.

Analysis of the structure of the Temple reveals a striking combination of logic with artistic sentiment. The entire edifice, in outline and in every detail, is permeated and quickened by Nature’s living spirit.

Three major motives.enter into the composition of the Temple structure, viz., the base, the body, and the roof. The socle or base is of great importance in Chinese architecture. It ranges all the way from a low platform to a conspicuous terrace with balustrades and with flights of steps leading up to it. Sometimes such a terrace is doubled, or even tripled, the better to set off the main structure which surmounts it. A most beautiful example of this

The Yellow Temple

Chih-li

ascending gradation is to be found in the Temple of Heaven (at Peking) where the base-motive reaches a climax in a threefold terrace with balustrades. Another important function of the base is to accentuate the individuality of the body-structure, the dignity and importance of which determine as a rule the height of its respective base or platform.

The body of the Chinese Temple Hall exposes to view its entire wooden structure of pillars, architraves, beams, rafters, and consoles. Rows of pillars supporting a roof for shelter: this is the fundamental idea, not only in theory but also in practical execution. For no sooner are the columns erected and connected by the binding tie-beams and architraves, than the roof is laid

over this frame-work and finished, be-