ceramic roof-ridge ornament; chiwen
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
ceramic ornament placed at both ends of a roof ridge in traditional Chinese architecture, typically shaped like an owl tail (chiwei)
technicalA specific architectural term referring to the decorative elements found on the ridges of traditional Chinese buildings, especially in palaces and temples. Also known as 鸱吻 (chīwěn).
Gù故
gōng宫
Tài太
hé和
diàn殿
de的
wū屋
jǐ脊
shàng上
zhuāng装
shì饰
zhe着
jīng精
měi美
de的
wěn吻
shòu兽
。
The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City is decorated with exquisite ceramic roof-ridge ornaments.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
wěn吻
shòu兽
tōng通
cháng常
shì是
táo陶
zhì制
de的
，
zào造
xíng型
xiàng像
chī鸱
wěi尾
，
jù具
yǒu有
bì辟
xié邪
de的
zuò作
yòng用
。
These ornaments are usually ceramic, shaped like owl tails, and serve to ward off evil spirits.
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Gǔ古
jiàn建
zhù筑
xiū修
fù复
shí时
，
gōng工
jiàng匠
xū需
yào要
àn按
zhào照
chuán传
tǒng统
jì技
yì艺
chóng重
xīn新
zhì制
zuò作
wěn吻
shòu兽
。
When restoring ancient buildings, craftsmen must recreate the roof-ridge ornaments using traditional techniques.