Empirical exploration of the “yijing” model: a case study on the relationship between physical environment, emotional atmosphere, and place identity

“Yijing” (意境), as the core concept of Chinese traditional aesthetics, has deep cultural and philosophical foundations. However, its abstract nature presents challenges for research and application in modern environments. This study constructs a three-tier model of “wujing-qingjing-yijing” (physical realm, emotional realm, and meaningful realm) to explore the relationships between the physical environment (including lighting, materials, colors, layout, and symbols), emotional atmosphere, and place identity. Using Yuelu Academy as a case study, empirical analysis was conducted through a questionnaire survey and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that emotional atmosphere plays a significant mediating role between the physical environment and place identity, with layout and symbols having a particularly crucial influence on emotional atmosphere, while the effect of lighting is relatively weak. The study validates the effectiveness of the model and provides empirical support for the restoration of traditional architecture and modern environmental design. This research offers a new perspective on the quantification and structuring of the “yijing” theory and expands academic exploration in the fields of environmental psychology and cultural identity.