Why are the four corners of an ancient building facing upwards?
Kiss, also known as tail, fish-shaped dragon According to legend, it was introduced from India with Buddhism around the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It's something from the Buddhist scriptures of the rain god, which can put out the fire. So the kiss was changed, so it was placed at both ends of the roof to eliminate disasters and put out fires. Laojiu, a dragon-shaped Donlon beast, has a wide mouth and a rough mouth, which is easy to swallow all his life. The tail-rolling faucets at both ends of the temple ridge are his portraits. "Taiping Yu Lan" has the following description: "After the disaster of the Liang Temple in the Han Dynasty, the witch said,' There are fish in the sea, and the tail is like a owl, and the waves are like rain', so it is like a tail and Tired Ofthe Fire is auspicious." The "witch" mentioned in the article is Laojiu.
The alchemist and others, "Fish Autumn" is the predecessor of kissing. Kissing is water-based and an evil thing to avoid fire.
The cornices of ancient buildings in China have their unique functions:
1, which is beneficial to increase the lighting surface.
2, conducive to drainage
3. The upward movement of the building is increased, and the cornices in the middle of the building complex create a spectacular momentum and the unique flying and brisk charm of the ancient buildings in China.
1. Introduction: The cornice roofs of ancient buildings in China are often decorated with some small animals. These beautiful decorations are a major feature of architectural decoration in China. These small animals are generally called animals on the roof, animals on the eaves, animals on the gods, kisses on the spine and so on. It is also called trotting or "turning" inside the ancient construction bank. They have "walked" to the front of the cornice, and if they take one step further, they will fall down. They are really desperate.
Function: Most of the ancient buildings in China are civil structures, and the roofs are covered with wood tiles. Because the tile at the front end of the cornice is at the forefront, it has to bear a "thrust" from the tile at the upper end of the whole vertical ridge; At the same time, if there are no protective measures, it is easy to be blown down by strong winds. Therefore, people use tile nails to fix the tile at the front end of the cornice, and gradually form various animal images in the process of beautifying the nail cap, which is further endowed with the functions of decoration and marking grades in addition to practical functions.
Third, the symbolic significance and source of various animals:
1, Kissing: Also known as Wei Wei, Kissing, born in the Dragon, is one of the nine sons. His mouth is thick and easy to swallow, so he became a spiny-swallowing beast at both ends of the temple ridge, that is, a kissing beast, which was used to put out fires and eliminate disasters.
2. Phoenix is a noble and virtuous person. According to Historical Records Biography of Japan: "Phoenix is not a flock of birds." Phoenix is the symbol of Jirui and the name of the Queen.
Lions represent courage and majesty. "The Record of Lights on" records: "The lion roared:' I am the only one in the world'. Lions roar and all animals are frightened. "
Tianma, hippocampus, symbolizes Wade reaching out to the sea, everywhere.
5, sister-in-law, ancient books record that it is a beast similar to a lion, and it is also said to be one of the nine sons of the dragon. Legend has it that you can eat tigers and leopards, which means you are obedient to all animals.
6. Fish eggs are exotic animals in the ocean. Legend has it that eldest sister-in-law is the god who makes rain, puts out fire and prevents disasters.
7. Avenger, a beast in ancient legend, is similar to a lion. "Foreign Records" said that "there are wild animals in the wilderness of Northeast China, which are called arrogance". Legend has it that it can distinguish right from wrong and is a symbol of courage and justice.
8. Bullfighting is a kind of legendary dragon. According to "Introduction to Chen Yuan", "There are bullfights in Haizi in the west ... When it rains, it often winds along and above Yudong in Jin Ao." Legend is the mascot for making clouds and rain, suppressing fire and preventing disasters.
9. what to do. What kind of winged monkey has wings on its back and holds a pestle. It is said that the pestle has the function of reducing demons. Because it ranked tenth, it was named "What to Do". It's like the legendary Lei Gong, probably a symbol of lightning protection. There is only one thing that can be seen about the ridged beasts in ancient buildings, that is, arranging these small beasts in turn on the high eaves of the Hall of Supreme Harmony symbolizes the elimination of disasters, which means auspiciousness, and also means cutting off evil and upholding justice.
Fourth, China's ancient buildings are actually deeply influenced by China's ancient ideology and culture, and Confucianism and Taoism are the most representative of China's ancient culture:
1 For example, some immortals are influenced by Huang Lao's thoughts.
2. The strict feudal hierarchy embodied in ancient buildings in China, such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, has 10 small animals crouching on the roof, symbolizing the supreme imperial power.
3. The symbolic meanings of the selected animals are all based on the ancient history books of China.