栱 (gǒng) - Bracket arm — a structural component in traditional

栱Tone 3

gǒng ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

栱 · gǒng

Bracket arm — a structural component in traditional Chinese architecture, specifically the curved wooden bracket arms used in dougong bracketing systems.

Bracket arm — a structural component in traditional

Usage highlights

Dougong bracketingBracket arm structureWooden bracketArchitectural bracketCurved bracket armBracket arm support

Synonyms

  • 斗栱— dougong bracketing system (includes both blocks and arms)
  • 拱— arch, vault (different character but similar sound and related structural concept)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The temple features intricate dougong bracketing with carved bracket arms (斗栱).
  • Carpenters carefully fitted the bracket arm (栱) into the wooden structure.
  • This architectural element is called a gong (栱) in Chinese.
  • The bracket arm (栱) supports the eaves of the roof.

Collocations

  • Dougong bracketing(斗栱)
  • Bracket arm structure(栱结构)
  • Wooden bracket(木栱)
  • Architectural bracket(建筑栱)
  • Curved bracket arm(曲栱)
  • Bracket arm support(栱支撑)

Idioms

  • Intricate bracket work(雕梁画栋，斗栱交错)
  • Elaborate bracketing system(重栱叠架)
  • Classical architectural brackets(古建斗栱)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 栱 is a specialized architectural term from traditional Chinese wooden construction.
  • It represents sophisticated engineering and aesthetic principles in Chinese architecture.
  • The character reflects China's advanced wooden architectural technology dating back centuries.

FAQ