Chinese roofs are typically of the
hip roof type, with small
gables, so decorations along the ridge line were highly visible to observers. Variant versions are still widespread in Chinese temples and has spread to the rest of
East Asia and parts of
Southeast Asia. Along the ridges (unions between the roof panels), near the corner, a row of small figures is placed. These are often made of glazed
ceramic and form an outward marching procession. Here we see the imperial yellow glaze reserved for the emperor. At the tail of the procession will be an imperial
dragon, representing the authority of the state. At the head of the procession will be a man riding a
Phoenix, one legend suggests that this represents a minion of the emperor who grew greedy for power and was hanged from the roof gable for treason. Another version of this figurine is an immortal riding a
fenghuang-bird or
qilin. Yet another interpretation is that this is a person serving the emperor, being watched by the following beasts. In between will be mythical beasts, usually an
odd number of them. The mythical beasts are set to pounce upon the man and devour him should he stray from performing his duties with faithfulness and rectitude. In the illustration at the top there is only one beast; the number of beasts indicating the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. The maximum number of beasts is nine, including evil-dispelling bull, courageous goat-bull (), wind- and storm-summoning fish (), mythical lion (), auspicious seahorse, heavenly horse, lion, and
chiwen (, a son of dragon). The maximum number is seen in the lower image, taken at the
Hall of Supreme Harmony. Note the addition of an immortal guardian (,
hangshi, "ranked tenth") in front of the dragon holding to a sword like a cane. During imperial times, this figure was unique to this single building, being the throne hall and therefore the building with the highest status in the entire empire. These examples are found within the
Forbidden City,
Beijing, China. Other examples can be found on functional structures such as gates and barracks of the
Great Wall of China, as well as the roofs of the Summer Palace outside of Beijing. With the fall of the empire (in 1911 C.E.) such decorations are now seen on commercial structures and tourist boats. ==General references==