Huabiao of beijing
 A well-known architectural ornament in China is the huabiao, often seen on the grounds of palaces, imperial gardens and mausoleums. It is also seen at some crossroads to mark the throroughfares.
The origins of the Huabiao are not clear. Some say it developed from the totem poles of ancient tribes. Perhaps it was originally a form of signpost. When Yao and Shun were the country's rulers about 4 ,000 years ago, wooden columns were erected as landmarks to show travelers the way. Yao and Shun also used them to solicit public opinion. People would write their comments and suggestions on the poles by main roads. For the same reason some poles were also placed in the royal court.
A more popular explanation does not credit the Huabiao with such a long history. In the Spring and Autumn Period 2,600 years ago, an instrument called the Biao, meaning poleortablet, was erected to determine direction by its shadow. Designers used it to ascertain position and direction before constructing guildings. For large-scale construction, which might take many years,the pole was made of stone so that it would last long enough. When the building was completed, the stone pole was included as part of the structure.
With the establishment of the feudal system over 2,000 yeatrs ago, the Huabiao came to represent the power of the emperor. It would be carrved with dragons, a symbol of royalty, and placed in or in front of palaces and temples. Huabiaos were also placed in front of emperorw tombs, in which case they are called Mubiao, or romb columnw.
 As the use of these columns changed, so did their appearance. They became nore ornate and gradually devloped into the Huabiao we mostly see today. The typical Huabiao now has a round or octagonal base surrounded by a carved stone wall. Typically, dragons are carved on the column, while a dignified stone animal sits on its top.
There is a pair of such ornamental pillars carved out of marble standing in front and behind Tiananmen, the Gate of Heavenly Peace, at the center of Beijng.These ornamental pillars here in front of Tian'anmen are made of white marble.
According to legends, the first such pillars were used about 4,000 years ago when Yao and Shun were the country's rulers. At that time, they were made of wood, not marble, and they weren't just ornamental. They were landmarks used for traveling. Later, Yao and Shun found another use for the pillars. They were used as suggestion boxes of a sort. The common people could post comments and advice for their ruler on the poles. However, with the establishment of the feudal system, suggestions from the common people were replaced by carvings of dragons, a symbol of royal power.
A more plausible theory about the origin of this type of pillar focuses on an ancient instrument for measurement. In the Spring and Autumn Period, more than 2,500 years ago, before a building was constructed, the designers erected a pole. This pole, called "Biao" in Chinese, cast a shadow on the ground which helped the designers determine the proper directions. Since many construction projects lasted over long periods of time and a durable "compass" was needed, the pole was made of stone. When the building was completed, the stone pole was incorporated into the structure.
Each pillar, entwined by a divine dragon engraved in relief, carries a plate on top, on which squats an animal called kong. This creature in Chinese mythology is supposed to be born of the dragon and good at keeping watch. It is generally referred to as the "stone lion". The four kong at Tiananmen have different names, the two in front facing south and with their backs to the wall are called wangjungui or "looking out for the emperor's return". Their duty, it is said, was to watch over the emperor's excursions and call him back if he was too long absent from the palace. The couple inside the gate facing north are called wangjungchu or "looking out for the emperor's progress", and their job was to imperial palace. If he should indulge himself and neglect court affairs, the stone lions would remind him of his duties and tell him it was time to go out among the people.
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