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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Ting or Chinese pavilion

standardized character xiaozhuan (小篆; small seal script) According to the Qin dynasty’s standard measurements,
for ting (Figure 2) appeared on bamboo and wooden three zhangs (丈) correspond to approximately 7 m (22.7 ft)
slips (e.g., Figure 3). The visual form of these characters (Jiang, 2012). These instructions emphasize vertical
plausibly represents an architectural structure built on a elevation as a defining characteristic of this military ting
vertical pillar, suggesting significant height. structure.
In literary sources from the pre-Qin period to the In addition to the form of ting, Han-dynasty
Han (202 BCE – 220 CE) dynasty, ting mainly referred descriptions of Qin-dynasty administrative practices
to a type of military facility that also functioned as a further documented its function. The Gaodiji (高帝紀;
local administrative office, often with a high elevation. Records of Emperor Gao) in Hanshu (汉书; Book of Han)
For example, in Mozi (墨子), a text compiled during describes the geographical distribution and military
the Warring States period (475 – 221 BCE), the chapter function of ting:
“Zashou” (“杂守”; “Varied Defenses”), which focuses on “According to Qin law, there is a ting every ten li. The
preparing civic and military structures to defend against senior, the chief officer of the ting, is responsible for its
enemy attack, is one of the earliest works to describe administration. The ting serves as a place to stop for
youting (邮亭), a type of roadside commuter architecture dining and lodging during travel.” (秦法十里一亭。
used by local officials. The text provides the following 亭长者，主亭之吏也。亭谓停留行旅宿食之馆)
instruction (Chen, 2017): (Ban & Yan, 1962, p. 3).
“Youting should be built rounded, with a height This architectural form continued into the Eastern
over three zhang, and its roof should be steep.” (筑 Han (25 – 220). The character of ting was first defined in
邮亭者圜之，高三丈以上，令倚殺) (Mo et al., Shuowen Jiezi (说文解字; Discussing Words and Explaining
2006, p. 953). Characters) as follows:
“Ting indicates that people live safely and stably.
Ting has a building(s). The character is simplified
from the character for “height.” Its pronunciation is
similar to ‘ding.’” (亭，民所安定也。亭有楼，从高
省，丁声) (Xu et al., 2005, p. 282).
Echoing this definition in the Shuowen, the ting’s
functional association with civilian safety and stability
became particularly significant during the Eastern Han
period. The literary sources cited above indicate that,
during the Qin and Han dynasties, the primary function of
ting was as military architecture with residential functions.
As further specified by Chen (2018), this role extended to
locations both inland and along military frontiers.
Figure 2. Anonymous writer, ting (Qin Xiao Zhuan Character [秦小篆]).
Source: Xu (2020) In addition to these literary sources, the early
architectural form of ting is also reflected in funerary
objects known as mingqi (明器). One notable example is
a Han dynasty building model found in a tomb (Figure 4),
now housed in the Newark Museum of Art, which
provides a three-dimensional representation of a vertically
elevated roof structure atop a rectangular platform. With
all four sides unwalled, the model depicts a figure with
a tall headdress seated solemnly in the center, tightly
surrounded by four attendant figures. At the platform’s
edge, two crossbowmen face outward, their weapons
extended over the balustrades. Beneath the platform,
livestock or guard dogs are positioned on opposing sides.
This arrangement plausibly corresponds to the description
Figure 3. Anonymous writer, ting (Qin Jian Du Character [秦简牍], in in Hanshu, wherein the central figure represents the ting’s
Fengzhen [封診] 22 Daoma [盜馬]). Source: Xu (2020) chief officer, as the attendants are positioned within the

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2025) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4107