Posted 2017/4/5
It is a pictographic character, with the upper part symbolizing the branches of a tree and the lower part the root. As such, the original meaning of the character is a tree. And it is also a general term for any tree species. In addition, from the oracle bone inscriptions to the regular script, all characters related to trees have a “木” radical, indicating the relation with trees.
“木” or “wood” not only generates heat through burning, but also makes important building material. The Chinese architecture is a unique art featuring timber structure, which is a main structure in ancient Chinese buildings constructed with major materials like timber, bricks and tiles.
This structure, mainly composed of upright pillars and crossbeams, is connected with mortises and tenons at each joint and thus forms elastic frames. The wooden tower in Yingxian County built in 1056 still stands over one thousand years on and enjoys equal fame as the Eiffel Tower of France and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The three towers are widely regarded as “the world’s three marvelous towers”.
