Constructing a Semantic System of Facade Elements for Religious Architecture from a Regional Perspective: A Case Study of Jingzhou

Abstract

The application of semantics in facade elements mainly involves the association between architectural elements and their cultural, historical, or functional significance. By analyzing the shape, layout, and decoration of various elements (such as windows, doors, decorative patterns) in facades, semantics helps us understand the symbolic meanings and cultural implications behind these design choices. This study selects twenty-eight pavilions and buildings from five temples and Taoist sites in Jingzhou City as the research objects, exploring the composition and patterns of religious architectural facades in Jingzhou through the extraction of structural and decorative elements. The study establishes the “Semantic System of Façade Elements in Jingzhou Religious Architecture,” from which the distinctive characteristics of Jingzhou religious building façades are identified. The study finds that side halls predominantly feature hard gable roofs, while the main halls use double-eave hip-and-gable roofs, reflecting differences in architectural hierarchy. The sack with three arrows pattern is the most widely used in door and window decorations, demonstrating the aesthetic preferences of the Jingchu region. Both side halls and main halls commonly adopt high podiums, with the main hall podiums typically exceeding twenty steps in height, which is closely related to Jingzhou’s climatic conditions and architectural hierarchy. This study provides scientific evidence for the preservation, new design, and harmonious integration of traditional culture and architectural features in regional religious architecture.