Art of Caisson ceiling

Caisson ceilings are a distinctive feature of classical Chinese architecture, often located at the center of the ceiling in a sunken design that is square, polygonal, or circular, adorned with exquisite carvings or painted patterns.

The decoration of caisson ceilings dates back to Han Dynasty tombs, with a history of over 2000 years.

The design of caisson ceilings reflects the ancient Chinese cosmology of "round heaven and square earth," with the deepest part at the center being circular, the middle part being polygonal, and the outermost part, which is flush with the rest of the ceiling, usually square.

The name "caisson" is derived from "water plants" and "well," both associated with water. Ancient people worried about fires destroying palaces, so they used the "water" in the caisson to ward off fire.