Core Characteristics of the Architectural Style:
• Wooden Structure System: The core structure is a wooden frame combining beam-and-column and bracket-and-tie systems. It uses no nails, relying entirely on mortise and tenon joints for load-bearing, reflecting the “grand carpentry” techniques of the Song and Yuan dynasties.
• Roof Form: Features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, with the ridge decorated with Southern Fujian-style cut-porcelain sculptures (dragons, phoenixes, mythical beasts, etc.). The curved eaves and upturned corners are elegant and dynamic, conforming to the “upturned eaves” regulations of Song and Yuan architecture while incorporating Southern Fujian folk craftsmanship.
• Facade Design: The layout of seven bays wide and five bays deep conforms to the hierarchical regulations for grand halls in the Song Dynasty’s *Yingzao Fashi* (Treatise on Architectural Methods); the red main entrance contrasts sharply with the wooden doors and windows, highlighting the solemnity and majesty of the religious building.
• Decorative Details: The painted beams and purlins use a “five-color all-over decoration” style, with patterns including typical Song and Yuan elements such as scrolling vines and cloud patterns; the column bases are stone-carved Sumeru pedestals, continuing the exquisite craftsmanship of Song Dynasty architecture.
Regional Cultural Characteristics:
• Integration of Southern Fujian Crafts: Based on Song and Yuan official architectural styles, it incorporates local Southern Fujian crafts such as cut-porcelain sculpture and wood carving, reflecting the architectural characteristics under the cultural exchange of the “Maritime Silk Road.”
• Spatial Design: The high platform and wide terrace design not only adapt to the rainy climate of Southern Fujian but also enhance the sense of ceremony and visual impact of the grand hall.
