1. The custom of not stepping on the threshold began in the pre-Qin period. At that time, when ministers entered and exited the monarch's door, they could not step on the threshold and could only walk sideways. The threshold was often a distinction between high and low status. The reason why this custom existed in the pre-Qin period was the etiquette of monarchs and ministers. Later, it evolved into the status of the family.
2. The threshold has the function of blocking dirt and warding off evil spirits. A threshold across the door symbolizes the erection of a wall to keep out all bad things, especially those ghosts. Keep out the door to ensure the safety and happiness of the family. ?
3. In fact, in the past, the wooden beams on the threshold were made of the same material as the main beams on the roof. That is, a wooden beam is divided into the main beam and the threshold. The main beam has the "function" of protecting the house and protecting it, and the wooden canopy has been cast by a geofeng shui master. Wooden beams made of the same material are used as thresholds, and naturally they also have the "function" of protecting the house. Shoes and other items are extremely "low-class" things in the East. In the customs of some parts of our country and Islamic countries in the Middle East, the use of Hitting someone with a shoe is the greatest insult. Stepping on it will damage the magic power of the threshold. ?
4. Some people say that the threshold is the neck of the ancestors and cannot be stepped on, otherwise it will be disrespectful.
5. There is also a saying that the threshold is the neck of the head of the family and the head of the head of the family, so there is a saying: avoid stepping on the threshold and avoid fighting.
6. It is said that stepping on the threshold will damage one’s own feng shui. If you go to a temple, you cannot step on the threshold. There is a saying in Buddhism that the threshold of the temple is the shoulders of Sakyamuni. People think that the threshold of the temple is the shoulders of Sakyamuni. The threshold is God's shoulders and cannot be stepped on. The custom of not stepping on the threshold continued until the Qing Dynasty.
Thresholds are of great significance in Feng Shui. In traditional Chinese architecture, there will be a threshold at the entrance. Its role in Feng Shui is to block external adverse factors from entering the home and prevent talents from leaking out.
Anyone who has been to a Taoist temple will find that the threshold for Taoist temples is very high. Of course, it is not just the simple reason of fearing that people will step on the threshold that the threshold of Taoism and Taoism is set so high.
The reason why the threshold of Taoism and Taoism is high is because it contains profound meaning. As long as you step across this threshold, you will leave the worldly world behind you, and you will feel the solemnity and sanctity at the feet of the Patriarch with a pure and kind heart.
First of all, let’s talk about choosing the door to enter.
There are many doors in Taoist temple buildings, and it is important to choose which door to enter. The three doors in the middle are for people to enter and exit. Ordinary tourists can only enter through the door on the right. The door in the middle is for gods to enter and exit.
When entering the door, female guests step with their right foot first, and male guests step with their left foot first. They must be careful not to step on the threshold, and the steps need to be as large as possible.
The threshold in the temple is more particular
Everyone who has been to a temple will find that the threshold of Buddhist temples is very high. Of course, it is not just the fear of people stepping on the threshold that makes the threshold of Buddhist temples so high.
The reason why the threshold of Buddhist temples is high is because they contain profound meanings. As long as you cross this threshold, you will leave the mundane world behind you, and you will feel the solemnity and sanctity at the feet of the Buddha with a pure and kind heart. You cannot step on the threshold of the temple because Buddha was very taboo about feet and considered them dirty.
Stepping on the threshold in the temple is disrespectful and will lead to hell. For people or because you accidentally step on the threshold, the threshold in the temple is very high. There is a saying in Buddhism that the threshold of the temple is the shoulders of Sakyamuni. Stepping on the threshold is disrespectful to the Buddha. There is also a similar legend that the threshold of the temple is the forehead of Buddha. Stepping on it is considered disrespectful to Buddha and will be punished.
There is also a saying that all older ancient houses, or old houses of wealthy people in the past, have very high thresholds, and today's temples are mostly leftovers from the past. or built in antique style. Therefore, the threshold for temples will be very high. But this statement seems to be unconvinced by people because it lacks connotation connected with Buddhist origins.
Reference material: Threshold (Chinese word)_Baidu Encyclopedia