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THE SUBSTANTIATION OF THE ICONOLOGICAL METHOD IN SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE (ON THE EXAMPLE OF MONGOLIA)

M. Shishin, T. Kanaryova

Abstract

The article substantiates the prospects of theoretical and art-historical research of Mongolian temple architecture, based on extensive historical and art descriptions. It is indicated that the actual task is the interpretation of temple architecture. The experience of application of iconological method in disclosure of semantics of architectural monuments in Western Europe is presented. On the basis of this, for the first time, applied to the Mongolian architecture, the author proposes the methodological iconological approach in the disclosure of the semantics of the Buddhist architecture of Mongolia. The symbolic formula "Universe – Temple – Human" is defined as a key iconographic image for Mongolian architecture, explores its relationship with the Buddhist mandala. It is proposed to consider it as a symbolic scheme, which reflects the idea of the relationship of the human body and the main structural parts of the Mongolian temple. It is shown how its diagram and metaphysical content are reflected in the composition and proportion of temples. It is proved that the proportionality of the building is an essential feature of the harmony of the architectural object.

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