Zhong Zhou Xian as Central Axis of the ancient Chinese capital cities: development and transformations

Abstract

The concept of Central Axis for ancient Chinese capitals had an important impact on the planning and urban function of the ancient Chinese capitals. This paper combines archaeological materials and historical documents to gradually analyse: previous studies on the concept of Central Axis of the ancient capital of China have not used the latest archaeological discoveries and the internal causes of the generation of the Central Axis. The article demonstrates the Central Axis of the ancient Chinese capital city as early as neolithic Taosi culture period from ca. 2300 BС and further explores changing of the main buildings at the Central Axis position through method of archaeology, philology, combined with the latest archaeological data and historical literature, shows its relationship with state and dynastic policy. The design of the Central Axis was not out of formalism, but based on the symbolic significance, customs, and political considerations. The author argues that with the replacement of dynasties, the position of the palace on the axis of the capital became more and more prominent, while the ancestral temple was gradually located in the secondary position, indicating the strengthening of imperial power and the continuous weakening of emperor’s family worship.