Roof and eave ornaments

The roof and eave ornaments at Lungshan Temple can be classed into two different types -- ceramic applique and painted plaster -- based on the material from which they are made.

With the applique type, the artisan makes ceramic pots of various colors and then breaks them into shards. These shards are then affixed as needed to a plaster base. The result is very decorative. The use of ceramic shards is being increasingly replaced these days, however, by glass and plastic. These latter are very colorful, but there is a cheap feel to them.With the applique type, the artisan makes ceramic pots of various colors and then breaks them into shards. These shards are then affixed as needed to a plaster base. The result is very decorative. The use of ceramic shards is being increasingly replaced these days, however, by glass and plastic. These latter are very colorful, but there is a cheap feel to them.

With painted plaster ornaments, instead of applying ceramic shards to the plaster figure, the plaster is simply painted. Painted plaster ornaments frequently appear in carved walls, below the eaves, and on roof ridges. Craftsmen put every bit of ingenuity they can muster into ceramic applique and painted plaster ornaments in order to show off their skills, and they go about the task with extreme care. The dragon-carp in the photo is a symbol of protection because people believe that thedragon-carp, as a water creature, can spray water to put out fires. Although the belief might seem a bit far-fetched, it does show how deeply our ancestors cared about the temple, and how much they respected nature.