Double eaves roofs

The roof of the Yi Gate is in a double eaves style; the curves of the ridge are plentiful and varied.

"hornless dragon encircling"windows

The carved wooden windows of the Yi Gate are called "hornless dragon encircling a censer" windows. The pattern is like a censer which is composed of eight hornless dragons.

The wooden structure of Yi Gate

By comparing carefully, you will find the wooden structure on the left is different from the one on the right in the Yi Gate. There were often competitions between teams of craftsmen while building temples in the old days. Please note the different styles of the hornless dragons on the brackets.

Auspiciousness and happiness

A powerful Square Sky “Spear” is used to drive away evil and demon and a tablet ‘qing’ is to ward off evil and bring good luck. The word “spear” or ‘ji,’ sound like the word: “auspiciousness” and the word ‘Qing’ sounds like the word “happiness;” combined, they read ‘ji-qing’ for “good luck and happiness.” Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Praying for something

This panel shows a martial officer holding a ‘ling’ or “order” with one hand and another lifting a ball. Flag or ‘qi’ ounds like the word “pray” and, “ball.” pronounced as ‘qiu,’ sounds like the word “ask for”; combined, they read, ‘qi-qiu ji-qing’ to mean “to pray for good luck and happiness.” Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Spring Peony

A peony is “Queen of Flowers,” an emblem of wealth and distinctive status. This work features a peony to represent spring, along with a twig of a plum blossom tree, an orchid and an incense burner. The vase, which reads as ‘ping,’ sounds like the word, ‘pin-an,’ or “safe and sound.” The phrase carries an auspicious message of “wealthy, distinctive, and, safe and sound.” Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Winter Camellia

This work features camellia flowers, shown together with a pine tree. A pine is a symbol of “evergreen and long life” and “New Year.” The “Ru Yi” is an auspicious element (of 8 Buddhist precious things), implyimg, “as you wish.” On the right, a rose flower is seen which is known as an evergreen flower of all seasons because it blooms monthly. Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Summer Lotus

The words for lotus mean the same as: ‘to bind, connect or wed, and one after another without stops. “Lotus, pronounced as the word for ‘integrity.” as in the phrase, ‘yi pin qing lian,’ refers to the most honest and upright first-class official. It is a symbol of official position and a promotion. On the right, a lamp, pronounced as ‘ding, in Taiwanese’ sounds like the word for ‘son,’ implying ‘many sons, grandsons for generations.” Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple

Autumn Chrysanthemums

The picture layout looks like the Chinese character ‘pin’ in the shape of a mountain as in the character ‘pin,’ meaning “character or quality” and “longevity” (the southern mountain implies long life), ”not seeking fame and gain.” A plum tree, compared to the character of a man for its snow-resistant endurance, marks “the coming of springtime.” A wax apple, known as “Nan Wu,” with a big navel or ‘cai da’ in Taiwanese in its big belly, means “riches;” it is a wealth fruit for “great wealth, high status, carefree for ever.” Source:Beauty of the Koji Pottery Art-Taipei Confucius Temple