The Application of Ethnic Symbols in Landscape Architecture Taking the Western Region of Inner Mongolia, China as an Example

DOI: 10.5176/2301-394X_ACE16.95

Authors: Zhao Mengqi

Abstract:

Nowadays, "homogenization" trend has been increasingly presented in cityscapes. The author takes the architecture landscape of western Inner Mongolia as a starting point, to discuss how to use minority’s symbol language to express the unique characteristics of the region. By using semiotic methods, the author extracts the elements of western minorities’ symbol language, combined with the method of constitute language elements, taking landscape architecture as a design subject, and creating a physical carrier of local cultural and historical connotation. Under the precondition of previously taking hold of certain number of minorities’ symbol meaning, one can re-create it. In this process, focusing on the combination of symbols and the readjusting of relationship in between, to ensure that either the landscape viewer or landscape architectural space users can have clear, complete and sequenced received symbols, which conveys meanings. The innovation of the article is to pursuit the outer contour with plasticity, continuity and integrity of landscape architecture. Meanwhile the landscape architectural space is regarded as a "readable" language, which brings the second innovation to national symbols and put the plane of decorative language into space.

Keywords: Ethnic Symbols ； Western Inner Mongolia ； landscape architecture；Innovation