斗(dou)(dou)栱在中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)木(mu)構(gou)架建筑(zhu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)發展過程中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)起過重(zhong)(zhong)要作用,它的(de)(de)(de)(de)演變(bian)可以看作是(shi)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)傳統(tong)木(mu)構(gou)架建筑(zhu)形制演變(bian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)重(zhong)(zhong)要標志,也是(shi)鑒(jian)別中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)傳統(tong)木(mu)構(gou)架建筑(zhu)年代的(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)個重(zhong)(zhong)要依據。西周(zhou)銅(tong)器拱(gong)令(ling)簋上已有大斗(dou)(dou)的(de)(de)(de)(de)形象,戰國(guo)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)山國(guo)墓(mu)出(chu)土的(de)(de)(de)(de)銅(tong)方案上有斗(dou)(dou)和45°斜置拱(gong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)形象。漢代的(de)(de)(de)(de)石闕、明器、畫像石和畫像磚上也有大量(liang)斗(dou)(dou)拱(gong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)形象。
