The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Taoist temples are considered a nation-specific religious and exceptional cultural landmark regionally. The design principle of the lower, middle, and upper sections of the physical building profoundly symbolised royal identity (RI). Scholars discovered that despite Chinese lineage positively recogn...

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Main Authors: Yeong, Yin Mei, Abd Rahman, Khairul Aidil Azlin, Ismail, Nor Atiah, Utaberta, Nangkula
Format: Article
Published: University of Malaya 2024
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author Yeong, Yin Mei
Abd Rahman, Khairul Aidil Azlin
Ismail, Nor Atiah
Utaberta, Nangkula
author_facet Yeong, Yin Mei
Abd Rahman, Khairul Aidil Azlin
Ismail, Nor Atiah
Utaberta, Nangkula
author_sort Yeong, Yin Mei
collection UPM
description Taoist temples are considered a nation-specific religious and exceptional cultural landmark regionally. The design principle of the lower, middle, and upper sections of the physical building profoundly symbolised royal identity (RI). Scholars discovered that despite Chinese lineage positively recognising the importance of this symbolism, they were clueless about it, notably the configuration of the upper section. The objective of this paper is primarily to identify the design symbolism of the Taoist temple and assess the survivability of the RI for the upper section: 1) roof form; 2) ornamentation and 3) roof colour. Qualitative research was administered by conducting an observational study amongst the ten selected Taoist temples constructed in the 19th century in the Klang Valley. The results revealed that most of the design symbolisms inherited from the Southern region of Mainland China and RI were lessened. Interestingly, the samples synthesised the orthodox RI with indigenous local Malay vernacular architecture, the ventilated roof. The finding not only potentially intensifies the Chinese community by providing insightful knowledge, but it also eases the practical-knowledge gap amongst design practitioners and revitalises the tourism industry in the culture, arts, and heritage domains.
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spelling upm.eprints-1105682024-05-15T23:48:18Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/110568/ The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia Yeong, Yin Mei Abd Rahman, Khairul Aidil Azlin Ismail, Nor Atiah Utaberta, Nangkula Taoist temples are considered a nation-specific religious and exceptional cultural landmark regionally. The design principle of the lower, middle, and upper sections of the physical building profoundly symbolised royal identity (RI). Scholars discovered that despite Chinese lineage positively recognising the importance of this symbolism, they were clueless about it, notably the configuration of the upper section. The objective of this paper is primarily to identify the design symbolism of the Taoist temple and assess the survivability of the RI for the upper section: 1) roof form; 2) ornamentation and 3) roof colour. Qualitative research was administered by conducting an observational study amongst the ten selected Taoist temples constructed in the 19th century in the Klang Valley. The results revealed that most of the design symbolisms inherited from the Southern region of Mainland China and RI were lessened. Interestingly, the samples synthesised the orthodox RI with indigenous local Malay vernacular architecture, the ventilated roof. The finding not only potentially intensifies the Chinese community by providing insightful knowledge, but it also eases the practical-knowledge gap amongst design practitioners and revitalises the tourism industry in the culture, arts, and heritage domains. University of Malaya 2024 Article PeerReviewed Yeong, Yin Mei and Abd Rahman, Khairul Aidil Azlin and Ismail, Nor Atiah and Utaberta, Nangkula (2024) The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Journal of Design and Built Environment, 23 (3). 83- 97. ISSN 1823-4208; ESSN: 2232-1500 https://ijie.um.edu.my/index.php/jdbe/article/view/46550 10.22452/jdbe.vol23no3.5
spellingShingle Yeong, Yin Mei
Abd Rahman, Khairul Aidil Azlin
Ismail, Nor Atiah
Utaberta, Nangkula
The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
title The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_full The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_fullStr The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_short The symbolism and survivability of royal identity (RI) for the upper section of the Taoist temple built in the 19th century in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_sort symbolism and survivability of royal identity ri for the upper section of the taoist temple built in the 19th century in the klang valley malaysia
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