The history of windows

Development and process of ancient windows

The ancient buildings in China have been changing since the Qin and Han Dynasties, and our doors and windows have also changed with the changes of the buildings. Most of the ancient buildings in China adopt the frame structure design of traditional wooden buildings, which makes windows one of the most important elements in traditional buildings in China and also the aesthetic center of buildings. From these buildings, we can see the changes of windows. Early windows were relatively small, and under the word "window" was the word "chimney", the word "chimney" of the chimney. The word was first pronounced as "window", which was used for ventilation. Now the chimney is a passage for smoke exhaust, and it used to be a passage for lighting. Later, with the change of architecture, the requirements for windows are getting higher and higher.

And I made a systematic and detailed study of windows through this course and wrote this simple research report.

One: the evolutionary history of windows

Windows were vertical grids before the Song Dynasty, then horizontal grids appeared, and then a lot of carvings were made on diagonal grids. Its function is not only the earliest lighting function, but also the decorative function, which is the most important part of the ancient doors and windows in Ming and Qing dynasties that we can see today (this will be explained in detail later). The doors and windows we can see today had a problem in the early days, that is, there was no glass. When there is no glass, if the window is made too big, it will break when the wind blows, so we need to add window sills, and the spacing between window sills is to ensure the strength of the window. Although we had paper before the Tang Dynasty, that kind of paper could not be used as enough paper in a large area, so most ancient books were replaced by silk, but its cost was high, and its light transmittance was not very good compared with paper.

In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, paper was widely used in windows. This application solves many problems, such as its interval can be increased appropriately. There are relatively large window grilles in the north, and the paper has good tension. In this way, it can be changed constantly, which is an application of windows in practical functions. For example, it is very cold in the north, and even some windows need two layers of paper. There used to be a saying called "Three Monsters in Northeast China, with enough paper on the outside". Actually, it's not posted outside, it's posted on both sides. From the outside, it seems to be posted outside, and it is on fire because it often snows in the northeast. If soaked in snow, enough paper will decompose quickly, so it must be pasted on both sides. The south is covered with paste, and the window lattice can be seen clearly. This is due to the characteristics of regional characteristics.

Two: the opening of the window, the form

Door and window treatment is a comprehensive embodiment of architectural art and technical treatment. Generally, traditional buildings in China do not open doors and windows on gables, and the facades are mostly composed of doors and windows. Window types include straight lattice windows, sill windows, cross curtains and leaky windows. Before the Tang Dynasty, there were many straight lattice windows, which could not be opened when fixed, which limited the function and shape of the windows to some extent. Since the Song Dynasty, there have been more and more switch windows, and there have been many developments in both types and appearances. The window sill evolved from the lattice door. On the sill walls on both sides of the palace gate, the lattice eyes are mostly composed of wicker frames or squares, which can not only ventilate and light, but also avoid the inconvenience of opening doors and windows caused by high height.

For example, there are five Jin Dynasty doors and windows between the eaves and columns of Tomi Temple in Chongfu Temple in Shuo County, Shanxi Province, which was built in the third year of Jin Dynasty (1 143). It is an early example of using ribbed doors in Buddhist temples, with as many as 15 patterns. Two exquisite patterns, such as four bowls of ribbed flowers, are used on the cross string. The cross curtain window lattice flowers in Pilu Hall of Guangsheng Temple in Hongdong, Shanxi Province also have high scientific and technological value.

After the yuan dynasty, it was more extensive. The leaky window is complex and exquisite, and the design is exquisite and amazing.

In the Qing Dynasty, the types of windows increased obviously, and the patterns of window lattice became more complicated, which was not the same as the simple well lattice, wicker lattice, pillow lattice and brocade lattice in the Ming Dynasty. By the Qing dynasty, many window lattice patterns had developed into nested patterns, that is, two patterns were superimposed, such as cross begonia pattern, all directions and six connections pattern, turtle back brocade pattern and so on. Jiangnan also likes to use Kuiwen style, which has evolved into random patterns and further mutated into a pattern of rough and chaotic combination.

Three. Patterns and carving skills of window lattice

Carving on doors and windows is a traditional skill developed by China craftsmen for thousands of years. The carving techniques of ancient windows in China are divided into relief and through carving, and then some are inserted and some are inserted. It uses many complicated technologies. Sometimes when we look at it, it is nothing more than carving flowers, but in fact he uses a lot of carving techniques. In the past, craftsmen paid attention to many details. For example, men's muscles were completely different from women's. When carving, whenever designing women,

The face is smooth, and the ups and downs of men's muscles are clearly carved. For another example, in the Qing Dynasty, many westerners came to China to pay tribute, because many of them were foreigners and conference semifinals, and craftsmen would distinguish between China people and conference semifinals and foreigners when carving these. Therefore, craftsmen not only reflected the historical background at that time, but also paid attention to the social phenomena at that time, and preserved these phenomena through doors and windows and passed them down from generation to generation. This is also a manifestation of folk culture.

Window lattice can be divided into lattice window, lattice fan, partition, support window and hidden window.

The traditional structure of the window is very elegant, and the windowsill is carved with trunking and various patterns, which constitute a wide variety of beautiful patterns. Through the window, you can see different scenery outside, just like a picture hanging in a photo frame on the wall.

In traditional buildings, there are often some windows with different shapes. Such as Xiantao gourd, Fushouyannian, pomegranate bat, fan-shaped bottle, etc. They are all very decorative, but more people wander around the window to see the scenery, just like enjoying paintings in a gallery. We will find that windows are not only paintings, but also poems. For example, there is a classic poem: "The window contains Xiling Snow, and the door of Wu Dong Wan Li is moored." "The painting faces Yunfei Building in Nanpu, and the bead curtain rolls the rain in the western hills." "I dreamed that the moon broke through the window and birds sang all over the mountain in spring." "The deep autumn rain is a thousand curtains, and the sunset tower is a flute wind." "It's warm in spring tonight, and the sound of insects is separated from the green screen window." Windows are by no means for lighting and ventilation. A good window should be a good frame. When people face the window, the first thing they should feel is beautiful poems and paintings, which are really unforgettable.

Maybe you don't know that many of our cultural contents are not completely conveyed by books, but sometimes they can be reflected by real things in life, such as a large number of novels in this version of China Ancient Doors and Windows, which all contain pictures. The main patterns can reflect some classic pictures in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, such as "going to the meeting with a single knife" and "three British wars against Lu Bu". In the prosperous period of Qianlong, the collection was very popular, which was reflected in the window lattice at that time, on which many "Bo Gu maps" were engraved, and also reflected a collection life at that time.

Then there are some common flower and bird figures. These things are passed down from generation to generation through doors and windows, which are more intimate than books. Because not everyone went to school in ancient times, when many people educated their children, he would hold them in front of the window and say, "Look, this is …". This is the culture he conveyed. I think at this point, China's ancient doors and windows are a good way of cultural transmission.

Window lattice culture is an integral part of history and culture, which exists in every field and corner of life. In a country with a long history like China, place names, villages, hutongs, streets and buildings often condense the essence of history and culture. Pay attention to them, study them, cherish them, and give special care in development and construction. Unfortunately, living in a modern city, many old buildings are demolished and high-rise buildings are dense. It is difficult to see the blue sky and green space outside the window, and the sunshine is precious. In addition, the shape of the window is the same, and the window lattice culture no longer exists. How can it not be memorable?