斗(dou)栱在中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)木(mu)(mu)構(gou)(gou)架(jia)(jia)建筑(zhu)的(de)發展過(guo)程中(zhong)(zhong)起過(guo)重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)作用,它的(de)演變(bian)可以看(kan)作是中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)傳統(tong)(tong)木(mu)(mu)構(gou)(gou)架(jia)(jia)建筑(zhu)形制演變(bian)的(de)重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)標志,也是鑒(jian)別中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)傳統(tong)(tong)木(mu)(mu)構(gou)(gou)架(jia)(jia)建筑(zhu)年代(dai)的(de)一(yi)個重(zhong)(zhong)要(yao)依(yi)據。西周銅器拱(gong)令簋上已有(you)大斗(dou)的(de)形象,戰(zhan)國(guo)中(zhong)(zhong)山國(guo)墓出(chu)土的(de)銅方案上有(you)斗(dou)和45°斜置拱(gong)的(de)形象。漢代(dai)的(de)石(shi)闕、明器、畫(hua)像石(shi)和畫(hua)像磚上也有(you)大量(liang)斗(dou)拱(gong)的(de)形象。
