The pillar is an important component of Chinese architecture, with a wide range of applications, not only throughout all kinds of buildings, such as houses, bridges, roads, etc., but also throughout every era of Chinese architectural history. So, what exactly is the pillar of hope sacred?
As an important part of the railing, the lookout pillar, also known as the "railing column", is installed on the stone ground that runs through, and plays the role of connecting and fixing the railing and holding drum stone. Its structure is mainly divided into two parts: the column body and the column head, the cross-section is mostly octagonal or square, and the decoration is exquisite, such as begonia flowers, dragon patterns, etc., showing its unique artistic charm.
Before the Qing Dynasty, the pillars were generally relatively simple, such as the pillar of the Ming Tomb, which was just a simple stone pillar with a ring on the top. But the stone carving technology of the Qing Dynasty has been greatly developed, and the carving of the pillar is more and more exquisite, and its column body is often carved with cloud ornamentation, and the three-dimensional sense is very strong, so that people can feel the extraordinary bearing of the royal palace garden. These cloud ornaments not only add to the visual effect of the pillars, but also reflect the exquisite skills of stone carving in the Qing Dynasty.
The pillars are divided into different types according to the morphological differences of the stigma, the common ones are lotus petal head, pomegranate head, cloud pattern, dragon and phoenix pattern, 24 solar terms, etc., especially the content of the stigma with local characteristics is rich and diverse, covering a variety of fruit-shaped, animal-shaped, human-shaped, calligraphy and painting and other themes. Some of the pillars are not carved and decorated, showing the form of plain square heads, only reflecting the two parts of the column head and the column body. Other pillars have simple carvings, such as carving ruyi patterns. For the lotus petal head, pomegranate head, cloud pattern and dragon and phoenix pattern and other forms of stigma, we can intuitively understand that they are various stigma forms carved according to the image of the actual object.
It is worth mentioning the 24 solar terms looking at the stigma, which carves 24 lines on the stigma to symbolize the 24 solar terms of the year. In Beijing's Temple of Earth, this altar corresponding to the Temple of Heaven, the stone railing pillars surrounded by the palace on all sides adopt the form of the 24 solar terms pillar head.
The choice of the form of the column head needs to take into account the environment in which the building is located. For example, the stigma in the form of lotus petals presents the form of a lotus pod or a lotus flower, which is widely used in gardensThe 24 solar terms column heads are mostly used in palace buildings, altar temple buildings or stone bridges, as well as some nature-related buildings such as the Temple of Heaven and the Temple of EarthThe standard pomegranate form of a stigma is suitable for palace buildings, altar temple buildings, or garden buildingsThe variation of the pomegranate stigma is more commonly used in gardens;The lion on the head of the column is mainly used on the railing of the bridge or some railings of the garden. The form of these column heads not only shows the exquisite carving skills, but also gives the building a special style and charm.
These pillars are not only the soul of the railing, but also the treasure of the wisdom and art of the Chinese nation, and an indispensable part of ancient Chinese architecture. They are like witnesses of history, passing through the dust of time and space, witnessing the growth and changes of ancient Chinese architecture. At the same time, it also makes us deeply feel the exquisite skills and endless creativity of the ancient craftsmen.