Simbolis ir architektūra. Ankstyvasis periodas

Abstract

A survey of symbolism in architecture is continued in the article. It makes the beginning to review the historical development of the incarnation of symbols in architecture. In the light of symbolism, the author attempts to reveal consecutively the characteristics of the all historical periods for a better and clearer understanding of the contemporary state of the problem considered. Through the historical development the essential existential causalities of architectural symbolism are disclosed, its place in human worldoutlook and in the professional consciousness of an architect of that time is revealed, and when, why and how symbolism in architecture flourished or languished is discussed as well. This article is devoted to the oldest period of symbolized architecture. All the prehistoric times and the historical heritage of antique Egypt and Mesopotamia are conditionally included into the latter. Our aim is not to prepare a chrestomathic reference book on symbolism, we try to reveal the problematic spirit of the phenomenon, thus, we do not attempt to comprise all the heritage of antigue historical monuments. The oldest of the survived objects analysed in the light of the Sciptures, myths, symbols, reference books and various scientifie work, it became clear that nearly fully realized symbolism, in architecture as well, was an analogous part of syncretic manifestation of everything. Within the discussed period the most essential symbolical prototypes were the following creations of the Almighty: the Skys (the Universe), the Heaven, the Heaventy City, the Center of the World - Axis, the Tree of Life, the Holly Mountain, the Godly Dwelling, etc. Various forms of symbolization of these sacred ideas and facts are reviewed in the article. Some of the well-known objects are introduced in a new spirit of symbolic understanding and some condensed generalizations describing that period of time are also given.