A Study on the Cultural Implications of Architectural Elements in Song and Ming Dynasty Chinese Paintings from an Iconographic Perspective - With a Focus on Confucian and Daoist Thoughts -

In Chinese painting, architectural elements function not merely as tools for spatial composition, but as visual signs that mediate cultural thought and philosophical ideas, forming a central axis of traditional pictorial expression.This study focuses on representative paintings from the Song and Ming dynasties and, based on the theory of iconology, systematically analyzes the visual expression and cultural implications of architectural elements through two dimensions: the 'form of external meaning' and the 'form of internal intention.'The analysis reveals that in Song dynasty paintings, architecture appears natural and fluid, emphasizing harmony with landscape environments and reflecting the Daoist ideas of 'the unity of heaven and humanity' and 'returning to nature.'In contrast, Ming dynasty paintings highlight symmetry, hierarchy, and structural rigor in architectural forms, visually embodying the reinforcement of Confucian ethical order and ritual norms.The differences in architectural imagery between the two periods demonstrate a cultural transition from natural philosophy to social norms.Through iconological analysis, this study integrates art history, architectural history, and intellectual-cultural studies, and clarifies how architectural imagery in Chinese painting mediates the intellectual currents and cultural values of its time.In doing so, it expands the theoretical scope of traditional visual culture research and provides a methodological foundation for interdisciplinary studies between architecture and art.