Decorative Elements

 

 

The decoration of houses can be traced to a combination of practical concerns, folk beliefs, and pure ornamentation. Walls and eaves are often decorated, but particular attention is paid to doorways and windows because these are places where good or evil spirits were thought to enter. Elegant decorative schemes would also provide ventilation or shading.

Many openings would be covered with latticework in an endless variety of patterns that "shape the wind" or alter the way air flows into a home.

In the image at right, the lattice in the doors serves several functions.

Can you think of some of them?

Doors in Sichuan Province
SOURCE:  Photograph courtesy of Ronald G. Knapp, 1994, Langzhong, Sichuan Province

One way to summon good fortune is to invoke the character fu, seen on the wall to the right. Fu can be translated as "happiness," "good fortune," "blessings," or "luck."

"Fu" on wall in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province

SOURCE:  Photograph courtesy of Ronald G. Knapp, 1987, Dongpu zhen, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province

Not only is the character fu auspicious, but representations of homonyms of fu are also good luck. 

Because Chinese people honor age and desire long life, the character representing longevity shou is also often seen on Chinese houses. A stylized form of shou can be seen in the middle of the door to the right.

Can you guess why bats decorate this door?

 

ANSWER:  The Chinese word for bat sounds the same as fu.

Door decorations found in Zhejiang province        

SOURCE:  Photograph courtesy of Ronald G. Knapp, 1987, Zhuangshi zhen, Zhenhai qu, Zhejiang Province

Another character thought to express longevity is wan which means "ten thousand." This character is often represented stylistically as a backwards swastika, such as on the lattice work to the left.

What triple function does this carving provide?

Lattice found in Sichuan Province

SOURCE:  Photograph courtesy of Ronald G. Knapp, 1994, Langzhong, Sichuan Province

Other symbols of longevity are the peach, the tortoise, the deer, the crane, and evergreen trees.

Fish symbolize abundance because
the two words are homonyms. Fish
are often seen on Chinese houses. 

In addition to happiness, wealth, and
longevity, the Chinese also desire harmony at home. This is represented by a pair of fish swimming or pairs of geese, cranes, or ducks. 

Things with many seeds, such as
lotus pods and watermelons, reflect a desire for many children.

How many of the decorative elements described above can you find on the door to the right?

                     Detail from carved wooden doors

SOURCE:  Liu Yanting, Yang Gusheng, eds. Minzhu jianzhu, Zhongguo meishu quanji, Jianzhu yishu pian, vol. 5. (Beijing: Zhongguo jianzhu gongye chubanshe, 1988), 137, pl. 126.  Doorway with wooden bird carving, Yunnan province, Dali, Bai minority home.

To the left is a picture of a tiger with the eight trigrams. This is often hung above doors. In some parts of China, particularly Fujian province, the word for tiger is pronounced "fu." The eight trigrams are thought to ward off evil influences. In combination with the tiger's fierce face, this image makes a powerful amulet.

A tiger hanging above a door in Zhejiang province

SOURCE:  Photograph courtesy of Ronald G. Knapp, 1987, Qianlang village, Shengxian, Zhejiang Province

 

Mirrors are also thought to deflect evil influences.

Can you guess why there is a pair of scissors hung with a mirror in the picture to the left?

 

 

ANSWER:  Scissors cut off bad luck.

This combination of mirror and scissors is hung 

above an entryway facing an oncoming lane
SOURCE:  Photograph courtesy of Ronald G. Knapp, 1987, Shexian, Anhui Province.

 

How many decorative elements can you find in the image to the left?

 

The banners can be translated as:

Every time I hear of good deeds, my heart is happy.

SOURCE:  Photograph courtesy of Ronald G. Knapp, 1988, Jinxiang zhen, Cangnan xian, Zhejiang Province.