Western architecture, with its spires and Greek columns - and more recently skyscrapers - 建有尖塔和希腊廊柱的西方建筑和现代摩天大楼 usually emphasizes the vertical. 强调垂直的面向 And since the introduction of concrete, steel and glass, 自从水泥，钢与玻璃问世后 modern Western architecture has remained a vertical architecture of 现代西式建筑仍偏好垂直性 walls, facades, and invisible roofs. 强调墙壁，建筑立面 和隐藏式屋顶
Chinese architecture offers a delightful contrast. 中国建筑与之相较则赏心悦目 The most expressive element is the roof, 最具表现性的部分是屋顶 with its great curving slope, 屋顶呈曲线向下倾斜 and the emphasis is on the horizontal. 强调水平面向 The approaching pedestrian can see the whole roof, 由远而近的行人 可看到整个屋顶 even as he begins to enter the building. 即使要进屋时也看得到
While Europeans built their roofs using a truss system incorporating diagonal beams,欧洲建筑的屋顶 用桁架和对角梁来支撑 the Chinese used a post and beam system; there are no diagonals. 中国则用柱与横梁 没有对角梁 The stepped shape allowed for the curvature of the roof. 倾斜的形状使屋顶呈曲线
Using this system roofs could be expanded to create buildings of impressive scale. 用此建筑法的屋顶可以延伸 其下的房舍规模更加恢宏
The height of a building has never equaled status in China. 中国建筑的高度 并不等同地位高低 In the year 1 7 47, the emperor Qianlong commissioned European missionaries 1747年，乾隆皇帝 委任欧洲传教士 to design a summer palace in ''the manner of European Barbarians''. 设计一栋“蛮夷风格”的夏宫
The emperor had them build a two-story facade in front of traditional one-story Chinese halls, 皇帝命他们在一栋传统中式 建筑前加盖两层楼的立面 because the emperor had no wish 'to live in the air' like Europeans who, 因皇帝不想如欧洲人一般住在空中 as the emperor commented ' must be very poverty-stricken and lack land' to live in such a fashion. 乾隆认为欧洲人必定很穷且缺乏土地才需要高楼建筑 Instead of height, the rank and importance of Chinese buildings is determined by the roof design. 中国建筑的高贵与否不是从 高度判断，而是看屋顶的设计 One can see that this temple was patronized by the imperial family by the yellow diamond on the roof. 屋顶上的黄色菱形显示这是座皇室庙宇 Elaborate roof ornaments also denote the importance of a building. 屋顶的繁复装饰 代表建筑物的重要性 The part that looks like the tail of a fish at either end of the main ridge is known as the ridge-devouring beast: 屋脊两端看似鱼尾的部分 称为戗脊兽 the mythical son of the Sea dragon, able to whip up waves and create rain. 他是海龙王的儿子 能呼风唤雨
These ornaments were in fact symbolic fire extinguishers. 这些装饰是灭火器的象征 Along the sloping ridge there might also be a string of smaller animals: 倾斜的屋脊上有时还有一排小动物 nine for imperial buildings, 皇室建筑有9只
with the number of animals decreasing as the importance of the building decreases. 重要性越低的建筑 动物数量越少 Often found sitting on the corner is this evil prince riding on a hen, 角落上常有这骑着鸡的风狮爷 which represents a legendary tyrant who was cruel to his people. 他代表传说中暴虐无道的君王 He is fated to suffer the elements for all eternity. 注定永远要遭受风雨摧残
