Architectural style of diaojiao building

In the past, diaojiao building was usually covered with thatch or fir bark, but it was also covered with slate. At present, most diaojiao buildings in western Hubei are covered with mud tiles. The construction of diaojiao building is an important event in Tujia people's life.

The first step is to prepare wood. Tujia people call it "cutting green hills", and generally choose Toona sinensis or purple trees. Toona sinensis and purple tree are auspicious because of homophonic "spring" and "zi", which means that spring is always big and future generations are prosperous;

The second step is to process the material of large beams and columns, which is called "frame size", and draw bagua, Taiji and lotus seeds on the beams;

The third process is called "fan arrangement", that is, the processed beams and columns are connected with tenons and arranged into wooden fans;

The fourth step is to "erect an upright post". The host chose the ecliptic as an auspicious day and invited all the neighbors to help. Before setting off the beams, the beams should be sacrificed first, and then all Qi Xin will work together to erect rows of wooden fans. At this time, firecrackers will explode and neighbors will send gifts to congratulate them.

There are nail rafters, tiles and board walls behind the vertical columns of the vertical house. Wealthy families have to decorate eaves on roofs, carve dragons and draw phoenixes under corridors, and decorate balcony railings.