Arched Gate Pillar Stone Art

Author: He Ping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-31
Features:
A door pier is a stone or wooden support placed at both ends of a gate's pivot. Typically made of stone, it stands beside the gate frame, like a pillow, hence also known as a door pillow stone or threshold stone. It is a symbolic and permanent architectural feature placed at both ends of the gate tower in a quadrangle. The inner part of the door pier supports the gate, while the outer part is often carved with birds, animals, and floral designs, also called a drum or column hugger. The drum refers to the drum-shaped and box-shaped protrusions on the exterior of the door pier, while "column hugger" refers to the sea (a hollowed-out area) of the door pier, which frames the gate's pivot column. The carvings on door piers mostly employ shallow relief, high relief, openwork, and round carving techniques, with some using simple line carvings. They often convey a sense of clarity, elegance, and refined grace. Door piers seem to have a close connection with each of us. Perhaps because they are too familiar, we have unknowingly let them gradually "fade" from our lives! We haven't even taken a single photo with a door pier. Until one day, the door pier comes looking for you in a dream, you realize how loyal it is to you. Upon waking, you may be moved to tears, but once you wipe them away, you'll quickly forget it again! Humans, after all, are forgetful creatures. In fact, on our life's journey, there are countless people and events worth remembering forever.