Abstract: To study the originality of architectural works, with the aim of providing supports on organizations of formal significance and reception theory of formal significance, this paper explores and analyzes the methods of identifying architecture, the relation between the nature of architectural elements and architecture itself, and the organizational ways of formal significance from the cognitive point of view. It categories the architectural elements, characterizes the five basic features of architectural elements, elaborates the relation between these elements and architectural spatial functions and spiritual connotations. Based on the subjects' psychological response to the formal significance, the paper puts forward three enlightening organizational ways of formal significance. It contends that the proper way of controlling architectural elements is to characterize architectural elements. Whether formal, or material, the tendency of architectural elements ought to be purposeful and meaningful.

Key words: architectural element, mnemonic, significance, characterization