We all know that in the courtyard house, every part of its architecture is very delicate. Everywhere is exquisite in our eyes. This kind of decoration is not only for beauty, but also for functionality. So in this issue of Beijing Siheyuan, we will talk about the functions of the most representative hanging flower door and what kind of impact it has.
Defense function
Every hanging flower door has two functions. The first is to have a certain defense function. For this reason, a second guard is installed between the two columns on the outward side. A door, this door is relatively thick and similar to a street door. It is called "Chessboard Gate" or "Zanbian Gate". It is opened during the day for the passage of house residents and closed at night for security purposes.
Barrier function
The second is to act as a barrier, which is the main function of the hanging flower door. In order to ensure the concealment of the inner house, another door is installed between the two pillars on one side of the hanging flower door. This door is called a "screen door". Except when there are important ceremonies in the family, such as weddings, funerals, marriages, and marriages, when the screen door needs to be opened, the screen door is closed at other times. When people enter and exit the second door, they do not pass through the screen door, but walk through the screen door. The inner courtyard and various rooms can be reached through the side doors on both sides of the door or through the hand-chaoist verandahs on both sides of the hanging flower door. This function of the hanging flower door fully plays a special role in communicating the inside and outside of the house and strictly dividing the space.
Through a small hanging flower gate, what we see is the diligence, intelligence and wisdom of the ancient Chinese working people, and they are pictures of folk customs with strong characteristics.
Zhaimen
Anyone who has lived in or entered a house in Beijing will have a deep impression of the hanging flower door, because it is dignified, gorgeous and extremely eye-catching. I use the word "zhaimen" here instead of "siheyuan" because Mr. Zhu Jiashu said that a quadrangle refers to a residence with east, west, north, and south rooms. If there are hanging flower doors, corridors, etc., it is the main courtyard that enters the house.
The late famous folklorist Mr. Jin Hui also said that the residences in Beijing should not be called courtyard houses, but "sihefang". He was quite angry when he said this. Therefore, it is necessary to gradually correct the name. Residences with east, west, north and south are called Sihefang, and residences with multiple courtyards such as hanging flower doors are called "zhaimen".
Entrance to the house door
The hanging flower door is the entrance to the inner house in the house door. Most of them face north and south, and are on the same north-south main axis as the main hall and main room. Of course, there are also a small number of hanging flower doors facing north or east. The reason why it is called Chuihua Gate or Chuihua Gate is because it has hanging lotus columns - short columns that hang down from the front eaves and do not touch the ground. The ends of the columns are made into lotus bud-shaped hanging beads. There are various forms of hanging beads, such as wind-shaped willows or carved squares, but the hanging lotus shape is the most formal.
Generally, the hanging flower door of a house is located on the center line of the first entrance to the courtyard, opposite the sitting room. There are many entrance doors to the courtyard, and there are halls, living rooms, etc. in front of them. The appearance of the hanging flower door marks that the inner house is here. The so-called distinction between inside and outside refers to this as the boundary. In the old society, women were not allowed to appear in public. Women's family members only welcomed and sent off relatives and friends. At that time, sedans or cars were parked in front of the Chuihua Gate, and salutes and farewells were performed on the platform of the Chuihua Gate. In a house with strict rules, male servants and ordinary visitors are not allowed to enter the inner house.
Conclusion No small decoration can be ignored. There may be huge effects hidden in small objects.