Cultural Beliefs and Implication in Architectural Art at Quexiang Ancient Temple, Chaoshan, China

Abstract

Unique folk beliefs are an important part of Chaoshan culture in China, and the typical characteristic of Chaoshan folk beliefs is polytheism. Buddhist and Taoist deities, as well as various local protective gods scattered in rural areas, can all become the main deities worshiped by the people of Chaoshan. People who have made significant contributions can also be the subject of deification and worship and placed in temples for worship. Therefore, the folk belief system in the Chaoshan region has given rise to various temples, which, under the influence of the belief system, exhibit exquisite decorativeart and rich cultural connotations in their architectural styles. The main purpose of this study is to explore the belief system and architectural art expression at the Quexiang Ancient Temple. In the study, research was conducted by means of on-site investigations as well as interviews with residents and community organizations in the vicinity of Quexiang Village, and the collected data were analyzed in detail to carry out the study, revealing the close relationship between the construction of the ancient temple belief system in Chaozhou and the artistic expression of architecture. The research results show that the folk belief system of Quexiang Ancient Temple carries rich cultural connotations and is an important component of community culture, profoundly influencing community management in the Chaoshan region. The architectural art of the Quexiang Ancient Temple showcases various exquisite architectural decoration techniques in the Chaoshan region, gradually making it a proud, outstanding cultural heritage of the Chaoshan region.