Mediating the sacred, order, and power: Tai 臺 [terrace] as religio-political interface in pre-imperial China

The pre-imperial Chinese Tai 臺 [terrace], through its vertical and horizontal forms, symbolizes cosmic order and serves as a physical link between heaven and humanity. Traditionally, the pre-imperial Tai has been understood primarily through a functionalist lens, lacking a theoretical exploration of its symbolic meaning and mobility. This study examines Tai through three dimensions: The sacred, which grounds its sacred narratives; the order, which explains its transition from mythic consciousness to spatial practice; and the power, which illuminates its religio-political interface through historical events. These dimensions overlap and interact, offering a fresh perspective on the terrace. By situating Tai within mythological, religious, and political contexts, we have explored the interplay between religious beliefs and spatial practices in early China. This paper contributes to the spatial turn in the humanities, enhancing the understanding of traditional Chinese architectural culture.