# Chinese Architecture: Why Upturned Roof eaves?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-architecture-why-upturned-roof-eaves/229212>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 14, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-architecture-why-upturned-roof-eaves/229212 "2004-02-14T15:08:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-architecture-why-upturned-roof-eaves/229212/1 "2004-02-14T15:08:40Z")

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If you look at chinese buildings, the roofs always have eave ends that are pointed up-why is this? Also, Bhuddist Temples often are topped with a spire that resembles a high-voltage insulator-a series of discs, witha pointed top-what is the significance of this feature?

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**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-architecture-why-upturned-roof-eaves/229212/2 "2004-02-14T18:21:17Z")

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It´s to ward the house off evil straight line spirits, of course…

[LINK](http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/china1.htm#Roofs)

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**Author:** ![gluteus\_maximus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@gluteus\_maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gluteus_maximus)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-architecture-why-upturned-roof-eaves/229212/3 "2004-02-14T21:11:36Z")

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Another [link.](http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/s/sourin.htm)