The teachers who teach Mandarin language may tell you that the eaves tiles are called 瓦当 and 瓦头in Chinese. They are referred to the certain parts of the dripping parts of the ceramic semicircle-shaped tile on the top. The shapes of the eaves tiles are round and semi-round. The eaves tiles are the important elements and components of the ancient building. The functions of the eaves tiles are to protect the wooden eaves as well as beautify the framework of the shape or structure of the house. The foreign students may be interested to know the history of the eaves tiles. Now let’s move to the origin of the eaves tiles.

The earliest eaves tiles were dated back to the Western Zhou Dynasty which was from 11th century BC to year 771 BC. In Spring and Autumn period which was from year 770 BC to year 476 BC, the pattern of the eaves tiles were perfectly formed and became the essential materials of some certain huge building.

The early shapes of the eaves tiles were mostly semi-circle. The carvings and ornamentation of the eaves tiles were onigawara. Then the carvings were gradually developing to the clouds. Those who took online Chinese Lessons knew that there were different kinds of designs of the eaves tiles in different parts of China at that time. After the first emperor of Qin Dynasty conquered China, the shapes and contents of the eaves tiles witnessed great changes and became more colorful.

Han Dynasty was the most prosperous period of the development of the eaves tiles. The eaves tiles during this period were delicate and were carved with seal characters. The seal characters were in small font and were well laid out and arranged. The careful arrangement of the characters revealed the plain and deep art styles of the dynasty. The contents of the characters were some blessing and the appreciation values were comparable to the seal.

The shapes of the eaves tiles are of different kinds. They are the combination of painting, handicraft and carving. They are also the products of combining practicality and esthetics. They add some glamour to the ancient building history. They also can be used as the evidence to judge the time and period in the archaeology research.