Pagoda

A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in China, Japan, Korea, and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist, and were often located in or near temples. This term may refer to other religious structures in some countries. In Thailand pagoda usually means stupa while in Vietnam pagoda refers to place of worship.

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It is believed that the original pagoda design originated among the Newar of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Since then, the architectural structure has spread across Asia, taking upon many diverse forms as details specific to different regions are incorporated into the overall design.

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Pagodas attract lightning strikes because of their height. This tendency may have played a role in their perception as spiritually charged places. Many pagodas have an antenna at the top of the structure known as a finial. This antenna is designed in such a way as to have symbolic meaning within Buddhism; for example, it may include designs representing a lotus. The finial also functions as a lightning rod, and thus helps to both attract lightning and protect the pagoda from lightning damage.

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English language: The English language is a West Germanic language that originates from England and is also spoken as a native language in the other home countries of the United Kingdom, in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, and numerous other countries. English is now the third...

China: :This article is about Chinese civilization. For the modern-day state commonly referred to as "China", see People's Republic of China. For other meanings, see China (disambiguation)....

Japan: For other uses, see Japan (disambiguation)....

Pagoda related Images and Photos (experimental)

Pagoda in Shanghai (China)	Pagoda in Moonlight	Temple of Azure Clouds Pagoda Tibetan Style Buddhist Pagoda Beijing China Asia	Photo Seek Pagoda Garden 750 Piece Puzzle
Great Dagon Pagoda Rangoon Burma 1825-1826	Golden Pagoda in Nan Lian Garden Near Chi Lin Nunnery Diamond Hill Kowloon Hong Kong	Pagoda Reflected in Black Dragon Pool in Front of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Lijiang China	View of a Buddhist Pagoda
Rowing Boat to Perfume Pagoda	The Principal Approach to the Great Dagon Pagoda at Rangoon Plate 3 from "Rangoon Views"	Sunset over the Shwedagon Pagoda	Burmese Women at Prayer on the Platform of the Pagoda at Prome Lower Burma