Islamic Architecture
Following the flow of the Islamic faith into China in the middle of 7th Century AD, many mosques were built by the various ethnic Muslim minorities - for the purpose of practicing the Islamic faith. Islam has been long embedded in China's society. Hence the Islamic architecture has its own unique style, which sits themselves apart from the Islamic architecture in the Middle Eastern countries. They are mainly a blend between China's local and ethnic architecture styles.
There are two types of Islamic buildings in China. The first includes the mosques and the tombs of the imams (Islamic religious leader) and they can be found all across the country in different inland provinces. Basically, they are Han Chinese buildings with alterations added for carrying out Islamic activities. The other type refers to the mosques and the Gey's Mazars - tomb of an ancient Islamic sage ? prevalent in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. For this latter type of Islamic buildings they are much closer to traditional cultures of Central Asia and embody more unique characteristics in their architect and decorative styles.
In the early period, the mosques built in the hinterland were directly influenced by the architectural style of Central Asia. With the assimilation of Han culture, China's mosque began to make use of the techniques, Materials, carpentry and traditional layout of Han architecture to create a uniquely Chinese Islamic architecture, in accordance with Islamic teaching. Chinese traditional buildings emphasize a symmetrical layout, and the components such as wooden beams, tiled roofs, and elaborately carved beams. These features are seen in the mosques built in the later period. For the mosques, it has to be facing the direction of Mecca in the west, where as the courtyard house is laid out on a north-south axis. Huajuexiang Mosque in Xi'an is a typical example of a courtyard type mosque.
The main prayer hall of the mosque is where prayers are held and it usually covers a wide area to accommodate the people. It also occupies the most prominent spot in the mosque. One important feature in the mosque is the Qibla. The Qibla indicates the direction of Mecca and it is actually the niche - called a Mihrab - that is fixed into a wall. The Qibla is the most important part of the mosque and it is usually constructed as a small ornamental shrine-like structure in the wall. The prayer hall has also a pulpit with ten steps, symbolizing the seat where Prophet Mohammed lectured, the imam, or Islamic leader, is only allowed to the third fight of steps - called the Mimbar. At the front of the prayer hall is a corridor where the worshippers leave their shoes.
Islam does not advocate idol worship. The minaret - known as light tower in China - in the mosque is the purpose of calling the Muslims for prayers. According to Islam, all Muslims are to go through a period of fasting during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This is known as Ramadan and during the whole of this month; Muslims are to fast between sunrise and sunset. As this period of fasting is based on the phase of the moon, hence, an observatory is built at a high point in the mosque. The Islamic faith emphasizes on the importance of keeping oneself clean as a symbol of one's purity. Before prayers, the Muslims are to clean and wash themselves. Hence a pool for washing and a washing area are indispensable in a mosque.
The colors used in the mosques are primarily cold colors such as blue, green, white and black. The mosques in China are also influenced by this choice of colors, hence the green bricks, grey tiles and blue glazed tiles for the roofs. It was only when the emperor had given a title to the mosque could colors such as yellow be used for the glazed tiles. Even then, it would be matched with a green outline so as not to appear too showy.
Decorative ornaments constitute an important element in Islam architecture. The mosques in China used wood and bricks, on which decorative designs were carved and painted.
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