The Role of Mythology in Architectural Identity: The Case of the Temple of Heaven

Architecture is more than the geometric composition of space; it is also the expression of its local culture, which involves mythology, philosophy, architectural prototypes, etc. The research explores the impact of mythology on architectural identity with the Temple of Heaven in Beijing as the main case because, as an extraordinary presence of ancient Chinese imperial sacrificial architecture, the Temple of Heaven preserves the exquisite architectural complex and embodies rich mythological symbolism and cultural significance. This research initially reviews the theoretical outcomes of mythology and architectural identity, investigating their specific contents, characteristics, and interactions. In this phase, the three main categories of criteria regarding the architectural identity manifestation are defined, which are spatial organization (mainly reflected in shape and form), semantic organization (tightly related to design concept and principle), and relationship with context (includes materials as one of the main parts). Next, according to the organized criteria, the research analyzes the Temple of Heaven's design concept, space organization, structural design, and special decoration, which reveals how Chinese mythology appears in its design, proving that the Temple of Heaven is not merely a physical structure but also an incarnation of sacred order. In the design process, mythology is translated and generated into the architectural language and subsequently applied to create the form with symbolic meaning. The research also compares the commonalities and differences between the Temple of Heaven and other mythologically influenced architecture worldwide. Afterwards, it discusses the Temple of Heaven's profound influence and mythology's broader effect on contemporary architectural design. Ultimately, the paper highlights and concludes the detailed approaches and roles in which mythology shapes and promotes architectural identity in the contemporary context.