BURMESE ARCHITECTURE, J37 



platform. On this, surrounding the main shrine, are a number of 

 smaller pagodas, shrines or tazaung-'pyaihats. 



The Burmese divide important pagodas into twelve parts :— 



1. The base with the surrounding pagodas, or shoe. 



2. The three terraces, called pichuya. 



3. The hell. 



4. The inverted thabcik or alms howl. 



5. The twisted turban <>r baung-yii 



6. The lotus flower or hyalcm. 



7. The plaintain bud. 



8. The brass plate for the hfi. 

 <). The hli. 



10. The artificial flowers or seinbwin. 



11. The vane. 



12. The bud of diamonds or seiiibu. 



A less elaborate division is info four parts : — 



1. The square masonry or brick work terrace. 



2. A high plinth of a boldly moulded stepped contour, generally 



of elaborate polygonal form in plan. 



3. The bell-shaped body of the pagoda, divided into two por- 



tions by an ornamental band. 

 ,. The spire, consisting of a number of rings ; a lotus leaf 

 band, with a bead moulding in the centre and leaves 

 above and below, pointing in opposite directions ; a 

 terminal carrot-shaped cone, surmounted by the gilt 

 metal-work crown, or hit. This is generally made of 

 pierced iron- work, and consists of several rings rising 

 in diminishing stages, and finished of? with a long iron 

 rod. "When not completely broken down the pagodas 

 were often smashed of? at the top or middle of the bell- 

 shaped body. 



