door lintel plaque; nameplate above door
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
inscribed plaque above a door; door lintel tablet
In traditional Chinese architecture, this refers to the wooden or stone plaque mounted horizontally above the door lintel, often bearing the name of the residence, temple, or auspicious phrases in calligraphy. It can also refer to the architectural space above the lintel itself.
Zhè这
zuò座
gǔ古
sì寺
de的
mén门
é额
shàng上
kè刻
zhe着
“
dà大
xióng雄
bǎo宝
diàn殿
”
sì四
gè个
jīn金
zì字
。
The door plaque of this ancient temple is engraved with four golden characters reading "Mahavira Hall."
Mén门
é额
de的
shū书
fǎ法
wǎng往
wǎng往
chū出
zì自
míng名
jiā家
zhī之
shǒu手
。
The calligraphy on door plaques often comes from the hands of famous masters.
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Xiū修
fù复
zhè这
zuò座
lǎo老
zhái宅
shí时
，
gōng工
jiàng匠
men们
tè特
yì意
bǎo保
liú留
le了
yuán原
yǒu有
de的
mén门
é额
。
When restoring this old residence, the craftsmen deliberately preserved the original door lintel plaque.
Gǔ古
dài代
jiàn建
zhù筑
de的
mén门
é额
bù不
jǐn仅
shì是
zhuāng装
shì饰
，
yě也
tǐ体
xiàn现
le了
zhǔ主
rén人
de的
shēn身
fèn份
dì地
wèi位
。
In ancient architecture, the door plaque was not only decorative but also reflected the owner's social status.