Thresholds

Many of the ancient buildings we toured in China had high thresholds at the entrances to rooms. Thresholds served spiritual purposes, to keep evil spirits out, and practical purposes, to keep water out. These thresholds were quite high, causing one to have to step very carefully and purposefully over. The higher the threshold, the wealthier or higher in status the owner of the building. Women should step over the threshold leading with the right foot while men should lead with the left foot. This stems from the Chinese belief in Yin and Yang. Yin is associated with the feminine, while Yang is associated with the masculine.

Peggy