2 CHINESE ARCHITECTURE—BOERSCHMANN. 55s 
consideration is necessary to understand the rhythm of Chinese cul- 
ture. We are reminded of the system of Pythagoras, in which num- 
bers represent the intelligence of the world. His system may be ex- 
plained and understood by the Chinese system which I shall designate 
as the cosmogonic numbers. 
The pagodas, that stand out as isolated columns, are well adapted 
to represent the number 4 of the gods, or that of 8 or 16. Their in- 
terior always contains an image of a Buddha or a sacred memorial of 
him that embodies the conception of the world, and around which 
the other gods are merely grouped. 
A marble pagoda in Canton, erected about the middle of the eight- 
eenth century, has four sides, 
on each of which, indicating 
the four cardinal directions, 
there are the great Bodhi- 
satvas riding a lion, an ele- 
phant, or other symbolical 
animal. 
Another beautiful pagoda 
is on the island of Pu-t6-shan. 
It was built at the latest dur- 
ing the Ming dynasty, and it 
is a clear, vigorous presenta- 
tion of the rhythmic number 
of Buddhas on its four sides. 
The octagonal great pagoda 
in T’ien-ning-sze at Peking, 
‘dating from the Mongolian 
period, is covered with large 
reliefs in stucco, and is highly 
ornamented with elaborately Fig. 4.—Reception hall, with large sofa, four tables, and 
sculptured tiles. The small feel Ge 
entablature carriers are very natural, carrying cornices after the 
‘manner of Atlants. 
Sometimes four pagodas surround a central pagoda. The Emperor 
Kien-lung in 1793 built an imposing group in memory of Panchen 
Erdeni Lama, who died while on a visit in Peking. It is entirely of 
marble and very elaborately covered with ornamentations and sculp- 
ture. The central structure is on a high terrace surrounded by four 
small octagonal columns. The rhythm of the numbers is repeatedly 
represented in its relation to religion. The most important of these 
marble pagodas is that at the temple of Pi-yiin-sze, previously men- 
tioned as one of the most beautiful temples in China. It is situated 
near Peking, in the western hills, with numerous other temples that 
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