Imperial roof decoration
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Chinese imperial roof decorations or roof charms or roof-figures (
Overview
Chinese roofs are typically of the hip roof type, with small gables, so decorations along the ridge line were highly visible to observers. Variant versions are still widespread in Chinese temples and has spread to the rest of East Asia and parts of Southeast Asia.
Along the ridges (unions between the roof panels), near the corner, a row of small figures is placed. These are often made of glazed
In the illustration at the top there is only one beast; the number of beasts indicating the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. The maximum number of beasts is nine, including evil-dispelling bull, courageous goat-bull (獬豸), wind- and storm-summoning fish (狎魚), mythical lion (狻猊), auspicious seahorse, heavenly horse, lion, and chiwen (鴟吻, a son of dragon). The maximum number is seen in the lower image, taken at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Note the addition of an immortal guardian (行什, hangshi, "ranked tenth") in front of the dragon holding to a sword like a cane. During imperial times, this figure was unique to this single building, being the throne hall and therefore the building with the highest status in the entire empire.
These examples are found within the Forbidden City, Beijing, China. Other examples can be found on functional structures such as gates and barracks of the Great Wall of China, as well as the roofs of the Summer Palace outside of Beijing.
With the fall of the empire (in 1911 C.E.) such decorations are now seen on commercial structures and tourist boats.
See also
- Chiwen
- Gargoyle
- Grotesque (architecture)
- Onigawara
- Imperial guardian lion
- Shachihoko
External links
Media related to Imperial roof decoration at Wikimedia Commons