A strange practice. Why was pepper painted on walls in ancient times?

The reasons why pepper was used to paint the walls in ancient times: 1. Because the Zanthoxylum bungeanum tree was full of fruit and was a symbol of the reproduction of descendants. The emperor’s wives and concubines used Zanthoxylum bungeanum to paint the walls with Zanthoxylum bungeanum mud, which was called the pepper house. They hoped that the princes would be as prosperous as the Zanthoxylum bungeanum tree.

2. Paint the walls with pepper for thermal insulation.

In the Han Dynasty, there was a greenhouse hall in the palace. Zanthoxylum bungeanum was used as insulation material for the mud room. Brocade tapestries were hung, fire screens were set up, curtains were made of wild goose feathers, and Western Region blankets were spread on the floor.

You won't feel cold if you stay inside in winter.

The method of using Zanthoxylum bungeanum as an insulation layer was also imitated by later generations.

3. Painting walls with pepper can prevent moths.

The powder made from the flowers of the Zanthoxylum bungeanum tree is used to paint the walls. It is pink in color. It has an aromatic smell and can protect the wooden structure of the palace and has the effect of preventing moths.

Extended information: The building whose walls are painted with pepper is Jiaofangdian.

Jiaofang Hall is located in Chang'an City, the capital of the Western Han Dynasty. It belongs to the Weiyang Palace complex and is the residence of the queen.

Queens such as Zhang Yan, Dou Yifang, Chen Ajiao, Wei Zifu, etc. lived in Jiaofang Hall of Weiyang Palace.

It is said that when Queen Dou of Dou Yifang was alive, she often rested in the Jiaofang Hall because the pepper powder on the wall was good for people. Therefore, Queen Dou lived for a long time. Not only was she in good health, she also served as a gift to her husband, Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty.

, did a lot of things for his son Emperor Han Jing.

The Greenhouse Hall appeared in the Han Dynasty. There were various cold-proof measures and equipment in the hall, such as coating the walls with pepper and mud, so it was called "Jiaofang Hall".

During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, Jiaofang Hall was the queen's palace, so "Jiaofang" became the nickname for the queen.

The main hall of Jiaofang Hall faces north and south, with double ques in front of the hall.

It is very rare to have a palace in front of the palace, which is beyond the scope of ordinary palaces. It shows the high architectural standards of Jiaofangdian.