Pagoda - Definition and Overview

A pagoda at Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Pagoda is the general English term for a tower-shaped building, often religious in purpose, common in China and other parts of Asia. Pagodas are usually found in association with Temples (often Buddhist) and are believed to offer protection to the temple. As lightning generally strikes the highest structure in a vicinity, this may have played a role in their perception as spiritually charged places. By attracting the lightning they also protect the Temple.

It is believed that the original pagoda design originated among the Newars of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Since then it has been transferred across Asia, becoming unique to each region in its design and structure.

Many pagodas are Buddhist stupa, but the Daqin Pagoda in China was actually built by early Christians.

In the 18th century, Chinoiserie, a style based on Chinese and other Far East designs became popular in Europe, introduced by the burgeoning trade and travel routes. An example of this is the pagoda in Kew Gardens, England, which was completed in 1762 as a gift for Princess Augusta, the mother of George III.

Some famous pagodas

• Jade Chop Pagoda in the Three Gorges region of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) river.
• Toji, the tallest wooden structure in Japan.