A Textual Study on the Connotation of Yingzao Fashi Structural Carpentry “Feng” (I): Literature Review and the Text

The texts and illustrations in each volume of the Yingzao Fashi carpentry manual contain descriptions and depictions of “Feng”. Through a comprehensive analysis of these textual descriptions, this study identifies significant structural design implications associated with Feng. Initially, this paper reviews relevant annotations and scholarly works, presenting various interpretations of Feng within academic discourse. Subsequently, employing textual analysis and interpretation of Yingzao Fashi’s descriptive content, the study elucidates two fundamental connotations of Feng in carpentry works. Specifically, it emphasizes the role of Feng in spatial form and scale control, as well as its inherent structural design principles.