Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Objects Facet
3. Built Environment (hierarchy name)
4. Single Built Works (hierarchy name)
5. single built works (built environment)
6. [single built works by specific type]
7. [single built works by form]
8. [single built works by form: massing or shape]

Anotations

Scope note:

Meaning, literally, "plaque" (-holding) "tower" (Kroll), the pailou functions to mark specific locations, divide space, and commemorate virtuous individuals and actions. The ‘lou’ in pailou can refer to a roof or eaves (Guo 2002, 61), however, in Ming dynasty (1368-1644) literature, the term pailou was widely used and was often used interchangeably with the term paifang. For example, in the Jiajing Dezhou zhi 嘉靖德州志 (ca. 1545 CE), pailou are recorded under the chapter on paifang, indicating that pailou and paifang refer to the same objects (Zheng and He 1522-1566, 1.13a). The term paifang was often used to emphasize why the structure was erected, while the term pailou was used to emphasize the location. These structures were so symbolic in their appearance that they became the markers of specific places. Junctions composed of multiple paifang structures at road intersections were often found in cities, such as the “Four Pailou” and “Three Pailou” in Nanjing.