Maintenance
of
Chinese
Traditional
Eight
Characters
Gate The
eight
characters
gate,
also
called
the
"Pa
Kua
Gate",
is
a
traditional
Chinese
architectural
feature
that
originated
from
the
Ming
Dynasty.
It
comprises
two
wooden
doors,
each
decorated
with
eight
Chinese
characters
(four
on
each
door)
which
represent
the
“eight
trigrams”
of
the
I
Ching.
These
characters
are
believed
to
protect
the
household
from
evil
spirits
and
bring
good
fortune. However,
due
to
the
natural
ageing
of
wood
and
external
environmental
factors,
the
eight
characters
gate
may
gradually
deteriorate
and
lose
its
protective
function.
Therefore,
it
is
essential
to
carry
out
regular
maintenance
to
prolong
its
lifespan
and
ensure
its
adequate
performance. The
first
step
of
maintenance
is
to
clean
the
gate
periodically
using
a
soft
brush
or
a
cloth
to
remove
any
dust
and
debris
accumulated
on
the
surface.
Next,
sand
the
wood
with
sandpaper
to
remove
（研习更多 星座爱情配对查询常识请关注 :喜鹊星座网，WWw.iXiqUe.cC〗any
rough
or
uneven
areas.
Then,
apply
a
coat
of
wood
preservative
to
protect
the
wood
from
insects
and
other
pests. Another
crucial
aspect
of
maintenance
is
to
inspect
the
eight
Chinese
characters
carefully.
These
symbols
should
be
checked
for
wear
and
tear
and
restored
if
necessary.
If
the
characters
are
severely
worn
down,
they
can
be
replaced
with
new
ones.
The
new
characters
should
match
the
original
ones
in
size
and
font. In
conclusion,
regular
maintenance
is
vital
to
preserve
the
aesthetic
and
protective
function
of
the
eight
characters
gate.
With
proper
care
and
attention,
this
beautiful
and
meaningful
feature
of
Chinese
architecture
can
last
for
generations.