Insight into Zoomorphic Ornaments

Why is there a phoenix-riding god at the end of a sloping ridge? Legend has it that a king of the Qi State during the Warring States Period (475-221BC), having failed in a battle, was forced to a riverbank and with the enemies chasing close behind, had nowhere to go. Suddenly, a big bird appeared in front of him. In a great flurry, the king got on its back and crossed the river, turning ill fortune into good. Since then, people began to place ornaments featuring the same pattern on the end of ridges, to show their wishes for turning calamities into blessing.

The zoomorphic figures stringed behind the phoenix-riding god also have implications of their own.

Chiwen on the main ridge of Taihe Palace

1. The Chiwen, a monstrous thing at either end of the main ridge, appears roughly like the tail of a fish. Fierce and formidable, it looks as if it were ready to devour the whole ridge; so it is also known as tunjishou or the ridge-devouring beast. It is, according to Chinese mythology, one of the sons of the Dragon King who rules the seas. It is said to be able to stir up waves and change them into rains, so ancient Chinese put a chiwen at either end of the main ridge for its magic powers to conjure up a downpour to put out any fire that might break out. But for fear that it might gobble up the ridge, they transfixed it on the roof with a sword.

2. The Phoenix, next to the chiwen, was a symbol of auspiciousness in feudal times and another name for the empress.

3. The Lion, the king of beasts, is the symbol of power and grandeur.

4. The Heavenly Horse, meaning divine horse, was a general designation of fine horses from the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty.

5. The Sea Horse is also known as Luo Longzi. Together with the Heavenly Horse, the Sea Horse symbolized that royal power and benevolence can spread to the heaven and sea. According to Chinese mythology, it is also the incarnation of auspiciousness.

6. The Suanni, according to records in ancient books, was a fierce beast that could eat a leopard, just like the lion.

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