pagoda

A pagoda is a tiered tower with multiple eaves, common across Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist, but sometimes Taoist or Hindu, and were often in or near viharas. The pagoda traces its origins to the stupa, while its design was developed in ancient India. Chinese pagodas () are a traditional part of Chinese architecture. In addition to religious use, since ancient times Chinese pagodas have been valued for the spectacular views they offer, and many classical poems attest to the joy of scaling pagodas.

AI overview

A pagoda is a tall, tiered tower with multiple eaves that is common throughout Asia, typically built for religious purposes in Buddhist, Taoist, or Hindu traditions. Beyond their spiritual function, pagodas have long been valued for the panoramic views they provide, inspiring countless classical poems celebrating the experience of climbing them.

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Wikidata facts

Image: Taleju Temple 02.jpg

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Commons category: Pagodas
OpenStreetMap tag: building=pagoda

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Article

23 sections

Contents

Etymology
History
China
Symbolism and geomancy
Architecture
Construction materials
Wood
Transition to brick and stone
Brick
Stone
Brick and stone
De-emphasis over time
Styles of eras
Han dynasty
Sui and Tang
Dali kingdom
Song, Liao, Jin, Yuan
Ming and Qing
Notable pagodas
See also
Notes
References
External links

The oldest and tallest pagodas were made of wood, but most that survived were made of brick or stone. Some are solid with no interior. Hollow pagodas have no higher floors or rooms, but the interior often contains an altar or a smaller pagoda, as well as a series of staircases for visitors to climb to see the view from an opening on one side of each tier. Most have between three and 13 tiers (almost always an odd number) and the classic gradual tiered eaves.