Here at \u5e73\u5cea1\u53f7\u6865, have you ever wondered about the stories these stones could tell? Stone archways known as pailous were erected in feudal society. They honored accomplishments official achievements and virtues. These structures were symbols of loyalty filial piety and moral integrity. You would often find them in gardens streets and in front of tombs.
Of the 65 pailous from the Ming and Qing dynasties still preserved in Beijing 17 are stone archways. They used luxurious materials like white marble and black jade. Stone pailous were costlier to construct than wooden ones making them less common.
There are various styles. The most common are three-gate three-story designs. Other designs include three-gate five-story and three-gate seven-story structures. Some feature two-gate three-story or two-gate five-story structures. Single-gate single-story pailous are rare.
The carving techniques reveal artistic essence. Low relief deep relief and flat carving are all used. Openwork round carving and incised lines add detail. The choice of relief patterns reflects the location and purpose of each pailou. They capture the cultural nuances of different historical periods. They also display the craftsmanship of the designers.
Let’s consider the Defend Peace Stone Archway in Zhongshan Park. It features a four-pillar three-story design with a blue glazed tile roof. Guo Moruo wrote the central inscription Defend Peace. This archway has a unique historical background.
In 1900 the German Minister to China Baron von Ketteler was killed. En Hai a junior official shot him in self-defense. This incident became the pretext for the Eight-Nation Alliance’s invasion of Beijing. The Qing government built a white marble arch as an apology. It was called the Ketteler Arch.
After Germany’s defeat in World War I the arch was dismantled. It was moved to the Central Park now Zhongshan Park. It was renamed the Allied Justice Triumphal Arch. Later it became the Defending Peace Arch.
Consider the stone archways at the Summer Palace. The Xieqi Garden Zhiyu Bridge Stone Archway is small. It has two columns one pavilion and six mythical creatures on the roof. Emperor Qianlong inscribed the bridge with Zhiyu Bridge. He also wrote couplets for the archway’s columns. The verses depict waterfowl reeds and cattails. They describe moonlight ripples and the sound of water against stones.
The Hua Zhong You Stone Archway is petite. It faces north to south. It features a w\u01d4di\u00e0n roof and bluestone tiles. The southern beam is inscribed with Mountains and rivers reflect overwhelming the beholder. The northern beam reads In my travels I am delighted to have encountered such a wonder.
The Wu Fang Ge Stone Archway is four-column and three-gate. The upper beam features an Eight Immortals offering longevity painting. The columns beams rafters tiles and brackets are all made of stone. They imitate wood. Both sides are inscribed with Qianlong’s imperial calligraphy.
The Ming Tombs Stone Archway is the largest in Beijing. It has six pillars five intervals and eleven gates. It was constructed in 1540. The archway faces the main peak of Tianshou Mountain.
The Biyun Temple Stone Archway features a four-pillar three-bay design. There are four stone-carved screens. The archway’s stone pillars are covered with cloud patterns. Duanmu Hongliang noted the lifelike figure carvings. He said the entire white stone structure is filled with cloud patterns.
These stone archways tell stories of honor disgrace artistry and history. They remind us of Beijing’s rich cultural heritage. They stand as testaments to the past. They invite us to reflect on the present.