Wenshou, also called zoomorphic ornaments, are figurines or statues of various animals, both mythological and real. The animals featured in wenshou have significant symbolism within the Chinese culture and Buddhist religion. These traditional decorative elements are most commonly featured on roofs of imperial structures, the most prominent example being the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City in what is today the Dongcheng District in Beijing, China. [1]
- ^ Chun, Jiang; Yu, Fan (2008). "Cultural Metaphors in China: A Visual Experience of Hierarchy and Status Symbols" (PDF). Intercultural Communication Studies. XVII (1 2008): 77.