Beijing's doorblocks

Author: Yu Runqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features:
Mudou, also known as door pillow stone, is an important component of Beijing siheyuan architecture. Its function is to support the door frames, thresholds, and door panels of the main door and the secondary door (also known as the double-door or hanging-door). Another function is its strong decorative quality, which complements the brick carvings and painted decorations on the door beams, showcasing the homeowner's social status and class while adding a touch of solemnity, elegance, and individuality to the facade. The earliest appearance of mudou remains undetermined. If traced back to the formation of siheyuan architecture, it can be dated to the Han Dynasty (206–220 BC). Carvings on the exterior of door pillow stones can be seen on the stone archways of the tomb of Empress Wencheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty (currently exhibited in the History Museum), where the pillow stones are carved into the shape of tiger heads. In ancient tombs of the Southern Dynasties of the Liang Dynasty, stone pillars are found with "mudou" (door pillow stones) placed beneath them, about ten centimeters high, which can also be considered as meaningful sculptures carved on the exterior of the door pillow stones. The large-scale emergence of the Beijing-style mudou occurred during the establishment of Dadu (Beijing) by the Yuan Dynasty. Later, when Zhu Yuanzhang seized power from the Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt the Beijing city into Chengdu Prefecture, he utilized the mudou, an already prominent and eye-catching element, to demonstrate the new ruling order. After the Manchu government entered the capital, like inheriting other systems, they preserved the tradition of using mudou to symbolize status and identity, thus the Beijing-style mudou was established during the Ming Dynasty's establishment of Beijing as its capital. During the Qing Dynasty, both in form and artistic style, mudou reached its peak. Most of the mudou we see today date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Beijing-style mudou come in various forms but can be broadly categorized into five types based on their features (such as the magnificent Xumi pedestal, luxurious brocade covers, and decorations like lions, drums, and boxes). Each category serves a different purpose and represents the homeowner's identity and status.
- Lion-type mudou: Imperial family
- Drum-type mudou: High-ranking civil officials
- Drum-type mudou with animal head: Low-ranking military officials
- Box-type mudou with lions: High-ranking civil officials
- Box-type mudou with carvings: Low-ranking civil officials
- Box-type mudou without carvings: Wealthy merchants
- Door pillow stone: Wealthy commoners
- Door pillow wood: Ordinary commoners
Each type of mudou is carved with auspicious patterns carrying different meanings, expressing people's good wishes, such as "Nine Provinces Reside Together," "Continuous Good Fortune," "United in Heart," "Auspicious and Propitious," and "One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols—Auspicious Festival." The craftsmanship is exquisite, lifelike, and can be considered a treasure of stone sculpture, leaving behind a valuable legacy for future generations.