píngzhù

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  3. Objects Facet
  4. Components (hierarchy name)
  5. components (objects parts)
  6. [components by specific context]
  7. architectural elements
  8. [structural elements and components for structural elements]
  9. structural elements
  10. [supporting and resisting elements]
  11. pillars (structural elements)
  12. píngzhù
Scope note
In traditional Chinese timber-frame architecture, leveling pillars are the two eaves pillars framing the central bay on the sides of the building parallel to the roof ridge. Leveling pillars are used as a standard height for calculating the height of other pillars across the façade, as they increase in height from the center towards the corners of the building, allowing for an upward curvature of the eaves (生起 shengqi). The term appears in the Yingzao fashi (1103) and in other official documents written by officials during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to describe the architecture of mausolea. Modern architectural historians use this term to describe central-bay pillars on all sides of a building dating from the Tang (618-907) to early Ming (1368-1644) dynasties. In traditional Chinese timber-frame architecture, refers to two eaves pillars framing the central bay on the sides of the building parallel to the roof ridge (typically the front side). Leveling pillars are used as a standard height for calculating the height of other pillars across the façade, as they increase in height from the center towards the corners of the building, allowing for an upward curvature of the eaves (shengqi). The term appears in the Yingzao Fashi (1103, Siku quanshu edition., 5.4b) and also in documents written by officials during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to describe the architecture of mausolea. Modern architectural historians use this term to describe central-bay pillars on all sides of a building dating from the Tang (618-907) to early Ming (1368-1644) dynasties.
píngzhù
Accepted term: 18-Nov-2024