pagoda

A pagoda is a multi-storied tower with upturned eaves, typically built as a religious structure in East Asian Buddhist traditions. The form evolved from early Indian stupas, which housed sacred relics, and spread through China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. In English, the word pagoda is a European designation for these towers and is not a single universally defined architectural type; local names and traditions often describe the structures differently.

Regional variations are a hallmark of pagoda architecture. Chinese pagodas are commonly brick or stone, frequently with octagonal or polygonal plans, and often feature multiple, gracefully curved eaves. Japanese pagodas are usually wooden and commonly have five stories, though some have more; they are typically part of a Buddhist temple complex and emphasize vertical rhythm and slender proportions. Korean pagodas, made of stone or brick, may be shorter and sturdier, with simpler exteriors and strong emphasis on form rather than ornament. Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian towers blend local styles with Buddhist influences, sometimes appearing as stone or brick shrines within temple precincts. Across regions, pagodas may serve as reliquaries, temples, or commemorative monuments and may be designed to enshrine sacred scriptures or relics.

Construction materials vary from wood in traditional Japanese pagodas to brick or stone in Chinese and Korean examples. Structural features often include a central axis, multiple floors supported by internal columns, and progressively lighter eaves as the tower rises. The pagoda remains a symbol of the Buddhist presence in a region and a focal point for worship, ritual, and historical memory. Notable examples include the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an, the Liuhe Pagoda in Hangzhou, and the Horyu-ji five-story pagoda in Japan.