Paifang
Encyclopedia
Paifang, also called pailou, is a traditional Chinese
architectural
gating style as an archway
.
The word paifang originally was a collective term used to describe the top two levels of administrative division and subdivisions of ancient Chinese city. The largest division within a city in ancient China was a Fang (坊), equivalent to current day precinct
. Each fang (坊) was enclosed by walls or fences, and the gates of these enclosure were shut and guarded every night. Each fang (坊) was further divided into several Pai (牌; literally "placard"), which is equivalent to current day (unincorporated) community. Each pai (牌), in turn, contained an area including several hutong
s (alleyways). This system of urban administrative division and subdivision reached an elaborate level during Tang Dynasty
, and was remained in the following dynasties. For example, during Ming Dynasty
, Beijing
was divided into a total of 36 fangs (坊). Originally, the word paifang (牌坊) was used as a term to describe the gate of a fang (坊) and the marker for an entrance of a building complex or a town; but by the Song Dynasty
, a paifang had evolved into a purely decorative monument.
temple-gate in ancient India, though it has taken on traditional Chinese architecture characteristics such as multi-tiered roofs, various supporting posts, and archway-shapes of traditional gates and towers. However, city gates are not particular to India.
During the Tang dynasty, it was called wutoumen , because the top of the two posts were painted black. Wutomen was reserved for officials of rank 6 or higher.
The construction of wutomen was standardized in Yingzao Fashi
of the Song dynasty. It consisted of two posts and a horizontal beam forming a frame and two doors. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was called pailou or paifang, and evolved into more elaborate structure with more posts and gates, with
superstructural gable on top; the highest rank was five gate-six post-eleven gable pailou.
Outside of China
, the paifang has long been the symbol of Chinatown
s. The largest of which is located in Chinatown, Liverpool
, England
.
In the past
, "Chastity Paifangs" were given to widow
s who remained unmarried till death
, praising what was seen as loyalty to their deceased husbands.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
architectural
Chinese architecture
Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in East Asia over many centuries. The structural principles of Chinese architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative details...
gating style as an archway
Archway
Archway is an area of north London in the London Borough of Islington.-Name:The name derives from the arch built between Highgate and Hornsey in 1896. A tunnel was originally planned for the Highgate bypass but this failed due to repeated collapses...
.
The word paifang originally was a collective term used to describe the top two levels of administrative division and subdivisions of ancient Chinese city. The largest division within a city in ancient China was a Fang (坊), equivalent to current day precinct
Precinct
A precinct is a space enclosed by the walls or other boundaries of a particular place or building, or by an arbitrary and imaginary line drawn around it. The term has several different uses...
. Each fang (坊) was enclosed by walls or fences, and the gates of these enclosure were shut and guarded every night. Each fang (坊) was further divided into several Pai (牌; literally "placard"), which is equivalent to current day (unincorporated) community. Each pai (牌), in turn, contained an area including several hutong
Hutong
Hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys, most commonly associated with Beijing, China.In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one...
s (alleyways). This system of urban administrative division and subdivision reached an elaborate level during Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, and was remained in the following dynasties. For example, during Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
was divided into a total of 36 fangs (坊). Originally, the word paifang (牌坊) was used as a term to describe the gate of a fang (坊) and the marker for an entrance of a building complex or a town; but by the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, a paifang had evolved into a purely decorative monument.
Origin
It is suggested that the Chinese paifang may have been derived from the toranaTorana
For the Australian car, see Holden Torana.A torana is a type of gateway seen in the Hindu and Buddhist architecture of the Indian subcontinent.-Meaning and uses of torana:...
temple-gate in ancient India, though it has taken on traditional Chinese architecture characteristics such as multi-tiered roofs, various supporting posts, and archway-shapes of traditional gates and towers. However, city gates are not particular to India.
During the Tang dynasty, it was called wutoumen , because the top of the two posts were painted black. Wutomen was reserved for officials of rank 6 or higher.
The construction of wutomen was standardized in Yingzao Fashi
Yingzao Fashi
The Yingzao Fashi is a technical treatise on architecture and craftsmanship written by the Chinese author Li Jie , the Directorate of Buildings and Construction during the mid Song Dynasty of China. A promising architect, he revised many older treatises on architecture from 1097 to 1100...
of the Song dynasty. It consisted of two posts and a horizontal beam forming a frame and two doors. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was called pailou or paifang, and evolved into more elaborate structure with more posts and gates, with
superstructural gable on top; the highest rank was five gate-six post-eleven gable pailou.
Style
Paifang comes in a number of forms. One form involves placing wooden pillars onto stone bases, and bound together with wooden beams. This type of paifang is always beautifully decorated, with the pillars usually painted in red, the beams decorated with intricate designs and Chinese calligraphy, and the roof covered with coloured tiles, complete with mythical beasts - just like a Chinese palace. Another form of paifang is in the form of true archways made of stone or bricks; the walls may be painted, or decorated with coloured tiles; the top of the archways are decorated like their wooden counterparts. Yet another form of paifang, built mainly on religious and burial grounds, consists of plain white stone pillars and beams, with neither roof tiles nor any coloured decoration, but feature elaborate carvings created by master masons.Outside of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the paifang has long been the symbol of Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
s. The largest of which is located in Chinatown, Liverpool
Chinatown, Liverpool
The Chinatown in Liverpool, England is located near the city centre's southern edge close to Liverpool Cathedral, and is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe. The arch located at the gateway is also the largest, multiple-span arch of its kind outside of China, the largest single-span...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
In the past
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
, "Chastity Paifangs" were given to widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
s who remained unmarried till death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
, praising what was seen as loyalty to their deceased husbands.
See also
- Chinese architectureChinese architectureChinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in East Asia over many centuries. The structural principles of Chinese architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative details...
- Chinese culture
- ChinatownChinatownA Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
- ToriiToriiA is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to the sacred...
- HongsalmunHongsalmunHongsalmun is an architecture built as a gate for entering a sacred place in Korea. It is arranged by 2 round poles and 2 horizontal lines. It has no roof and door-gate and placed on the middle top gate there is a symbol of the trisula and the taegeuk image...
- Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, MacaoCathedral of Saint Paul in MacauThe Ruins of St. Paul's refers to the ruins of a 16th century complex in Macau including of what was originally St. Paul's College and the Cathedral of St. Paul also known as "Mater Dei", a 17th century Portuguese cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. Today, the ruins are one of Macau's...