Bracket sets

Bracket sets (dougong) are a distinctive component in Chinese wood-frame architecture and serve as a transition between the roof and the walls of a structure. They transmit the load of the roof to the columns and walls, and mainly consist of horizontal bearing blocks (dou and sheng), rectangular arms (gong), and tilted angs (a long slanted lever arm). Bracket sets are also the most characteristic element of ancient Chinese wooden or faux wood construction.