Vicky jg
Imperial roof decoration, Forbidden City, Beijing
A single gable of Imperial roof decorations representing a building of fair importance.
Imperial roof decoration-
At the head of the procession will be a man riding a Phoenix, in between will be mythical beasts, usually an odd number of them. The mythical beasts are set to pounce upon the man and devour him should he stray from performing his duties with faithfulness and rectitude. Lastly there will be a horned dragon (Qilin)
The number of beasts indicate the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. The maximum number of beasts is nine, including evil-dispelling bull, courageous goat-bull (獬豸), wind- and storm-summoning fish (狎魚), mythical lion (狻猊), auspicious seahorse, heavenly horse, lion, and chiwen (鴟吻, a son of dragon).
-Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_roof_decoration)
Imperial roof decoration, Forbidden City, Beijing
A single gable of Imperial roof decorations representing a building of fair importance.
Imperial roof decoration-
At the head of the procession will be a man riding a Phoenix, in between will be mythical beasts, usually an odd number of them. The mythical beasts are set to pounce upon the man and devour him should he stray from performing his duties with faithfulness and rectitude. Lastly there will be a horned dragon (Qilin)
The number of beasts indicate the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. The maximum number of beasts is nine, including evil-dispelling bull, courageous goat-bull (獬豸), wind- and storm-summoning fish (狎魚), mythical lion (狻猊), auspicious seahorse, heavenly horse, lion, and chiwen (鴟吻, a son of dragon).
-Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_roof_decoration)