Chinese Memorial Arch  ( PAIFANG )

Paifang or Arch is a wooden or stone archway built mainly to commemorate the great achievements or loftiness of a family's ancestors.

There are three types of Paifangs :

1) 'Loyalty' Paifang : This is built to honour a person’s achievements and put on records his merits, great deeds and contribution to the country. Family members also erect paifangs to celebrate a person who has passed the imperial examinations as this achievement brings honor to his ancestors.

2)  The 'Chastity' Paifang is built to honor a woman's loyalty to her husband.

3)  Other Paifangs may serve only as a symbol of a street or a village. It is often erected in front of a tomb, cemetery, temple, and ancestral hall or along the road.

Most of the Chinatowns in the world have at least a grand Arch (Paifang). This essentially indicates the presence of the Chinese community at the location. The process of constructing a Paifang is a very serious matter and must be done with due consideration. The dedication of a paifang must be followed by a solemn celebration.

A Paifang is decorated with great taste in accordance to the Chinese culture with beautiful lucky birds or beasts, exquisite flower patterns, or characters written by celebrities, which are carved, on the arch.

Paifangs differ in styles and expressions.

It also differs in design from region to region. In the north, it has a majestic and grandeur appearance with some royal features. In the South, the designs are exquisite. Four or eight posts may support archways or Paifangs.