Task III

張貼日期：Jun 14, 2014 1:44:24 AM

Drum Stones

Shaped like a drum,

they are circular stones placed on both sides of the threshold in temples or residential buildings.

They were originally used to stabilize the post and prevent from moisture corrosion. Afterwards,

they became ornaments with caved dragon and phoenix or auspicious birds on the drumhead.

People said when bad guys sneaked into the temple,

the drum stones at the gate rattled.

It has an intimidating effect on the bad guys.

That’s the religious reason why people place drum stones at the front gate of the temple.

Drumhead from Lan-Tian Academy is engraved with a spiral pattern,

and it is also called spiral drum stone.

Spiral pattern represents dragon’s ninth son "Jiao Tu" in the shape of half snail and half mussel.

It likes to close itself and hates others to enter its place.

Lan-Tian says stroking spiral drum stone will make one more knowledgeable.