The stone drum of the Dragon and Tiger Hall in the Five Dragons Palace

#Wulong ·2022-08-20 23:32:13

This stone-carved cultural relic is called a stone-hugging drum. It was a component used during the restoration of the Dragon and Tiger Hall in the Qing Dynasty. Stone-enclosed drums are usually installed on both sides of the main gate, used in pairs, and connected to the lower end of the couplet. They are highly decorative and also a symbol of the gate's rank and status. It was often seen in front of the mansions of officials, wealthy merchants, gentry, clan gates and scholarly families. When the custom of decorating a stone drum in front of the door originated remains to be further verified. According to records, in the early Tang Dynasty, people discovered stone drum inscriptions in Baoji, Shaanxi Province. The large seal script before the unification of the Qin Dynasty was engraved on the drum-shaped stones, and this kind of calligraphy was highly praised. Later, people believed that it was more appropriate to use it to decorate the mansions and mansions, and thus it became popular. The inscriptions on the stone drums were also diverse, including those for good luck and peace, those to repay kindness, and those to predict the future, etc. In conclusion, the main function of the stone drum is to use locally sourced stone materials, endow them with one's favorite patterns, and express certain thoughts and feelings. The stone drum in front of the Dragon and Tiger Hall is engraved with dragon, deer, cloud patterns and other rich contents. What is most distinctive is that there is a lion-shaped knob relief on its top, which provides detailed physical evidence for professionals to study and verify.