Circles:
The Late Joman Japanese "Sundial"
In Japan, the citizens of Late Joman period would create "sundials" with one large upright stone in the center of a small circle. Each surrounding stone would not be particular in size as seen in the image above. The citizens were not worried as to the beauty of the circle but the function it had. Every sunrise created the casting of specific shades and lights needed to read the sundial. The citizens would be able to know what time of the day it was. Without the environments important role in this ritual the Late Jamon period would of failed to use the concept of a circles as a "sundial". A Grove:
The Dazheng Hall in the Shenyang Imperial Palace
This grand hall in China during 1625 AD held the grand ceremonies like the emperor's enthroning, war declaring, and welcoming the triumphant troops. The structure of this grand hall is a great example of the Chinese spectacular architecture even from earlier dynasties. The country is vast in surface area and filled with tons of citizens. Rituals that are performed in this specific combination of groves and mountains create an environment of elegance, and royal significance. The royal family and honored guests were only allowed to enter this stucture. To make sure the hall was sturdy groves of local bamboo trees were used to hold up this important structure. A Mountain:
The Pyramid at Chichen Itza
This pyramid was built before 800 A.D. in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The pyramid is apart of the most famous Mayan city found today. This pyramid served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. The citizens of the Mayan civilization studied the stars, mastered the mathematics, and had one true writing system in the time of Europe's Dark Ages. This architectural example presents the stacking of horizontal slabs to create one huge literal mountain of a temple. The Mayan citizens were advanced for the times with both architecture and knowledge. Environment is used to form concrete rituals from the influences of the natural environment around certain civilizations at a specific period of time. The environment creates certain ways of creating significant structures in history. The environment holds the sun and the trees growing around each civilization. Without the environment, rituals would not exist.
Erin, I enjoy how you talk about the environments playing a ritual role for the structures but a thought to take this idea beyond the assignment is to also think how these structures provide a ritual role to the community. For example the Dazheng Hall has intricate exterior features that probably stand out from the bland dwelling of other inhabitants, marking this building as a place of royal ritual. On the other hand the Pyramid at Chicen Itza is monumental, perhaps marking the solidity of political rituals and stratification of the society.
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