(Photo: CGTN)
The pilu hat, famously worn by monk Tang Sanzang in the beloved TV series "Journey to the West," has enchanted the imaginations of countless children over the years. Yet, beyond its role as a monk's headwear, the pilu hat is a distinctive architectural element in traditional Chinese buildings. Often adorning Buddhist shrines or gracing royal palaces, the pilu hat symbolizes the intricate fusion of spiritual reverence and architectural grandeur.
Restoration Process
Recently, CGTN host Julian Waghann had the privilege of experiencing the restoration process of a wooden pilu hat at an antique furniture restoration workshop. This extraordinary artifact, measuring 11.5 ft, was carried from Beijing's Dajue Temple during this process. A masterpiece of its kind, an intricate dragon motif carving adorned its surface, honoring the skills of ancestors.
(Photo: CGTN)
The symbolism of the Pilu Hat
The pilu hat, called by Pilu Zun, is not a simple article of clothing but an object carrying the sacrality in the natives' souls. Buddhists want it to mean or symbolize enlightenment and wisdom. Standing on the pagoda, for dharma, on which presence there is a visual sign that the journey towards attaining spiritual growth and enlightenment is at the top of the list.
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Affinity to Royal Palaces
Also, the Pilu hat's affinity to the royal palace is a high manifestation of its status as a mark of power and authority. In the Asia of ancient China, big shots were happy, and the nobles wore elegant hats decorated with complex designs to show their ranking and status. As the summer sun vied for the supremacy of cin over the vast ground, humble ants struggling to find a home, crowned lands of imperial power and the earrings with their natural kaleidoscope, powerful rays showed their flashy jewelry; venomous vipers were ready for strike;
Getting back those pillows made of wood to their previous aesthetic level is a meticulous job that requires skill and expertise. Before being debugged by the artisans, any damage is carefully fixed to make the artifact regain its initial beauty and strength. We layer it with the finest wax preservative available today and provide an additional coat to keep the hat from further wear and tear, ensuring it remains a family heirloom.
Appreciation of Craftsmanship
Undoubtedly, Julian Withering, as the man watched the restoration of the excellent hat, couldn't help but be amazed at the skills and artistry used in its creation. Compared to each stroke and the intricate detail, that fragile artwork was a link to the old age times. That piece of art connected people to China's rich cultural heritage. It was undoubtedly meant for admiration, too.
To cap it all, pilu, at the inevitable end, becomes more of a symbol of spiritual awakening and decorative splendor rather than a mere adornment to the head. The pilu comes in such variety: coming on the head of a Buddhist and on the rooftops of the royal palaces, it reminds me of the sounding of the ancient cultural Chinese legacy through the time, which lasts through the times.
Related Article: Exploring a Wooden Replica of Empress Wu Zetian's Tang Dynasty Hall
