The quadrangle, called Siheyuan in Chinese, is a unique kind of architectural style in Beijing. Built in Ming and Qing Dynasties, Its design and construction is a perfect embodiment of the Confucian idea of “uprightness and squareness”. Hidden amidst the numerous neighboring high buildings, the ancient-looking quadrangle is graceful and elegant. The design is stylish and the courtyard arrangement is simple and refined. Trees and flowers, fish swimming in a pond, green beds of grass are usual scenes in the quadrangles. Here one can keep the urban noise behind his mind and get away from the pounding of modern civilization, also here he may taste the flavor the ancient Beijing and enjoy the luxuries of the antique kind.

Impression of Quadrangles

Those living in quadrangles are happy people. The quadrangle is a mirror of Beijing, a mirror of China and a reflection of our history and of our magnificent ideas. It is worth being looked at a hundred times. It is regarded as a traditional thread-bound Chinese book, sending forth its fragrance and displaying its charms.

The Formation of Quadrangles

In a quadrangle, the maim rooms face south; warm in winter and cool in summer, and is the living quarter of the household master. On its both sides there are one or two rooms of small size in depth and height, therefore nicknamed as ears of the main rooms, which are intended for younger generations. And the northernmost row of rooms in a quadrangle is called back house. Entering into a quadrangle one will sense the arrangement between the elder and the younger and the distinction between the insiders and outsiders.

The quadrangle is facilitated with pathways and corridors for the use at the raining or snowing times. The festoon gate (also called a second gate), situated on the axis of the quadrangle and built between the outer and inner courtyards, is the most beautiful structure.

The Customs in Quadrangles

The quadrangle is a Chinese-styled box possessing ancient tales and cherishing wonderful ideals for the future.

Trees like mulberry, date, eucommia, pear and Chinese scholartree are seldom planted inside the quadrangle because their pronunciations in Chinese are similar to the Chinese words of death, earliness, envy and departure. However the most favored trees are pomegranate, oleander, lotus, Chinese crabapple, clove, Chinese wistaria and calabash, which are regarded as symbols of good luck, happiness and nobleness.

Brick, stone and wood sculptures can be found in quadrangles. They are both the decoration and the symbol the good wishes by their shape or sound. The fierce animals like dragon, tiger and lion in the sculptures are looked upon as common protectors of the domicile. Magpie signifies good luck; crane, tortoise, peach, pine, and cedar symbolize longevity; mandarin ducks are symbolic of long-lasting marriage; bat, deer and persimmon respectively stand for happiness, prosperity and fortune.

Source: CITS