Zaojing ceiling

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A zaojing ceiling is a type of domed structure made with brackets that project inward and upward from the base. Because the structure is reminiscent of that of a spider web, this type of ceiling is also known as a “spider web ceiling.” This type of structure is only to be found in very important buildings. Not a single nail goes into its construction!.

Early Chinese temples generally had no lights and were thus very poorly illuminated. Later on, architects started building in skylights to solve this problem. Different builders competed to see who could build the most beautiful temples, and the result of this competition was the development of the zaojing ceiling.

Lungshan Temple’s front hall has an octagonal zaojing ceiling, and the main hall has a zaojing ceiling with a counterclockwise spiral structure