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A well-known architec tural ornament in China is the huabiao, often
seen on the grounds of palaces, imperial gardens and mausoleums.
It is also seen at some crossroads to mark the thoroughfares.
There is a pair of such ornamental pillars carved out of marble
standing in front and behind Tian'anmen, the Gate of Heavenly
Peace, at the centre of Beijing. Each pillar, entwined by a divine
dragon engraved in relief, carries a plate on top, on which squats
an animal called kong. This creature in Chinese mythology is supposed
to be born of the dragon and good at keeping watch. It is generally
referred to as the "stone lion. " The four kong at Tian'anmen
have different names, the two in front facing south and with their
backs to the wall are called wangjungui or "looking out for
the emperor's return. " Their duty, it is said, was to watch
over the emperor's excursions and call him back if he was too
long absent from the palace. The couple inside the gate facing
north are called wangjungchu or " looking out for the emperor's
progress," and their job was to supervise how the emperor
behaved in the imperial palace. If he should indulge himself and
neglect court affairs, the stone lions would remind him of his
duties and tell him it was time to go out among the people.
These popular explanations reflected the naive wishes of the
people for an emperor who would listen to advice and work really
for their good.
The huabiao has a long history behind it and can be traced back
to Yao and Shun, legendary sage kings in remote times. To solicit
public criticism, it is said, they erected wooden crosses at marketplaces
so that the people might write their complaints and wishes on
them. These wooden posts were replaced during the Han Dynasty
(206 B. C. - 220 A. D. ) by stone pillars, which grew more and
more decorative and ornately carved until they became the sumptuous
columns to palace gates.
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