Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Ancient Egypt Architecture VS. Ancient Thai Architecture


In ancient time, there were several great architectures made by Egyptians such as the pyramids, tombs, statues and monuments. Most of them are famous according to their strong structures, even though they were built many centuries ago. Comparing to the modern structures, the ancient Egypt architectures might not be as aesthetic but it actually contain a lot of meaning and use of symbolism. Even though most of the ancient structures were built from limestone or mud brick, not cement or any shinny surface material, they still look so valuable and sacred. Comparing to Thai temple, since Ayuddhaya, limestone is the main material to build the pagoda(chedi) which is also strong but not as beautiful as the one today. However, both ancient Egypt architecture and Thai temple architecture still share the similarity, which is the meaning of the structure.


For example, one of the Egypt pyramid, Pyramid Complex of Djoser (during 2667-2648 BC.) has a wall made by brick from the Nile river. Eventhough the structure looks very simple, it is fulled of meaning. By using the brick from Nile river, it represents the permanence since the Nile river is really long and on going. Aswell as the painting on the wall of Thai temple, Wat Chaiyatid, in ancient time, which is just a plain wall made by bricks or limestones but it tells the story and the myth of the religion(Ramayana). The painting on the wall tells the whole story by itself without anyone telling the visitor.



Pyramid Complex of Djoser



Wall painting at Wat Chaiyatid




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