The craft for framing has exerted significant influence on architectural decoration.Traditional architectural decoration is important in not only themes but also frame ornamentation.Many designs for frames have been created by operly matching different components and decorative techniques. The themes for decoration need to coordinate forms and contents to reach harmony and pleasure; ultimately, the goals of pursuing good fortune and avoiding disasters, praying for auspiciousness to enjoy a life of ease and comfort can be achieved. Among the frame ornaments from Han style architectural decoration, frame patterns can add the crowning touch to the whole artifact as well as extinguish the decorated subjects. In the application of traditional sculpture crafts, “framing pattern,” one category among the multi-decorative themes in traditional architecture, is a sculpture which adopts cubic art within the frames, and is in itself highly decorative because it “adorns” other ornamental artifacts. Through arranging frame patterns, sculptors greatly enhance the formal quality of artifacts; therefore, “framing pattern,” a very unique and intensified architectural craft, deserves further exploration. The original intention of this research starts with discussing and analyzing the particular themes of “framing patterns.”
Auspicious signs are often reflected in the daily life and culture of common people; the making of those signs is often closely related to people’s living habits. The signs become a symbol on which common people rest their ideals and wishes. The decorative compositions, themes and contents of traditional architecture were brought to Taiwan by Han immigrants.Architectural decorations have carried auspicious concept on their components; thus, this research would majorly focus on the analysis and the generalization of how auspicious frames are used in architectural decoration and how they add the crowning touch to the whole artifact.The temple decoration in southern Fujian contains abundant folk crafts and aesthetics; Taiwanese Han style architecture has inherited the characteristics of southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong. The building materials and skills are mainly from these two areas and thus form special regional culture. The complexity and the diversity of Southern Style architectural decoration provide materials which can be understood by systemized study. Sorting can be helpful in the organization of craft patterns and designs.First, this research tends to explore the conventional techniques, forms and location of framing patterns. Second, through the classification of massive decorative designs, this thesis would probe into the characteristics presented by the decorative art of frames. Last, through the cultural features, contents, forms and symbolic meaning of auspicious signs, the research tends to discuss the ethnic features and to clarify the meanings carried by the element of eras, wishing to more apply and preserve traditional folk culture in the daily life of common people.
