Architecture and Mythology of Angkor

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of colonette in Angkorian architecture?

Supports for the beams and lintels above doorways or windows

What is the name of the mythological being that is part man and part bird?

Garuda

Who is the ancient religion of the Vedas associated with?

Indra

What architectural feature did Angkorian engineers tend to use to construct rooms and passageways?

Corbel arch Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the mythological monster that symbolizes time and is associated with the destructive side of the god Shiva?

Kala Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the horizontal beam connecting two vertical columns, often found in doorways or passageways?

Lintel Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the mythological hero and avatar of the god Vishnu?

Krishna Signup and view all the answers

What is the mythological significance of Mount Meru?

It is the mythical home of the gods. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the triangular space above a lintel, often decorated with carvings?

Pediment Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about Cambodia's national flag?

It depicts a 'ruin' on its national flag. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary material used in early Khmer architecture?

Wood. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of Khmer temple enclosures?

A concentric series of walls with spaces between the innermost wall and the temple itself. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the earliest recorded capital in Cambodia that reaches the Mekong River?

Uyadhapura. Signup and view all the answers

What type of arches were used in Khmer architecture?

Corbel arches. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the entrance building at Angkor?

Gopura. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinctive feature of Khmer decorative sculpture?

Rich decorative sculpture from wood carving. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the central sanctuary in an Angkorian temple?

The central sanctuary is dedicated to a deity, primarily for Shiva and Vishnu. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mythological significance of Mount Meru in Angkorian architecture?

It represents the mythological home of the Hindu gods. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Dvarapala motifs in Angkorian temples?

They function to protect the temple as temple guardians. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Gajasimha motif in Angkorian architecture?

It is a mythical animal with the body of a lion and the head of an elephant, often depicted as a guardian of temples or a mount for warriors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the bas-reliefs in Angkorian temples?

They are sculpted images projecting from the stone walls to depict mythological scenes and stories. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the blind windows in Angkorian shrines?

They are used to maintain symmetry and provide a sense of balance in the temple's architecture. Signup and view all the answers

How did ancient Indian influences impact Angkorian architecture?

Ancient Indian influences introduced the concept of the temple as a representation of Mount Meru, the mythological home of the Hindu gods. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of the Corbel arches in Angkorian architecture?

They are constructed using a series of overlapping stones to create a sense of depth and provide structural support. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Khmer Architecture

Garuda: a divine being, part man and part bird, known as the Lord of the Birds, and the mythological enemy of Naga.
Colonnets: narrow decorative columns that serve as supports for beams and lintels above doorways or windows.
Corbelling: a technique used by Angkorian engineers to construct rooms, passageways, and openings in buildings by adding layers of stones to the walls on either side of an opening.

Architectural Elements

Lintel: a horizontal beam connecting two vertical columns, between which runs a door or passageway.
Pediment: a roughly triangular area above a lintel, often decorated with carvings.
Tympanum: the decorative surface of the pediment.
Linga: a phallic post or cylinder, symbolic of the god Shiva and creative power.

Temple Structure

Central Sanctuary: the primary area of an Angkorian temple, dedicated to a deity, often Shiva or Vishnu.
Srah and Baray Reservoirs: created by excavation and embankment, with the West Baray and East Baray being the two largest reservoirs at the side of Angkor Thom.

Temple Mountain

Representation of Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods in Hindu mythology.
Reliefs and carvings in the walls of temples, often depicting mythological scenes and figures.

Guardians and Mythical Creatures

Dvarapala: human or demonic temple guardians, generally armed with lances and clubs, presented either as a stone statue or as a relief carving.
Gajasimha: a mythical animal with the body of a lion and the head of an elephant, portrayed as a guardian of temples and a mount for some warriors.

Windows and Doors

Blind windows: fake or blind windows used along the blank walls to maintain symmetry.
Gopura: an entrance building at Angkor, usually cross-shaped and elongated, running along the axis of the enclosure wall.

Cambodian Culture and History

Cambodia is the only country in the world to depict a “ruin” on its national flag, symbolizing its rich cultural heritage and national identity.
Uyadhapura: the earliest capital recorded in Cambodia, which reaches the Mekong River, and was an agglomeration of wooden houses on piles connected by little canals linked to larger waterways.

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Description

This quiz explores the architectural features and mythological significance of Angkor, including the Garuda and colonettes.