Caisson (Asian architecture)

For other uses, see Caisson (disambiguation).
A round caisson in the imperial garden at the Forbidden City

The caisson (Chinese: 藻井; pinyin: zǎojǐng; lit. 'algae well'), also referred to as a caisson ceiling, or spider web ceiling,[1] in Chinese architecture is an architectural feature typically found in the ceiling of temples and palaces, usually at the centre and directly above the main throne, seat, or religious figure.[1][2] The caisson is generally a sunken panel set into the ceiling. It is often layered and richly decorated. Common shapes include squares, octagons, hexagons, circles, and a combination of these.[3]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference schoolnet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "浅谈法海寺曼陀罗的深刻内涵 (Deep meaning of the Mandala in the Fahai Temple in Brief)" (in Chinese). Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage. April 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
  3. ^ "Caisson ceiling (Zaojing)". peopledaily.com. Retrieved 2007-09-03.