Window grating is a form of decorative art on windows, which can be divided into paper, wood, stone and iron depending on the material. With a long history, early examples include auspicious paper cuttings that were affixed to windows to bring peace and good fortune. With the changes in materials, window gratings gradually took on a more practical role in home security. In addition, the patterns of window gratings cast a dynamic play of light and shadow under the sun, adding aesthetic value and depth to the architecture. Moreover, window gratings also reflect the owner's taste, expressing a sense of warmth and humanity.
Development of Window Gratings in Taiwan
In the 1900s, buildings were largely constructed in the European style, with window grating designs featuring Western motifs such as vines and floral patterns.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the trend of line decorations became popular, leading to the appearance of geometric line decorations on the window gratings of houses built in Taiwan after the 1935 Hsinchu-Taichung earthquake.
At the same time, many Kinmen residents who had worked in Southeast Asia returned with wealth built houses in the Southeast Asian architectural style, which drew the attention of pirates. The local residents therefore installed iron gates and window gratings to prevent burglary.
During the Second World War, iron railings and windows were removed due to the increased need for metal during wartime. After the war, although the country did produce iron and steel, most were used for public construction. It wasn't until the 1970s , with the economic takeoff, that window gratings were able to thrive. During this period, in order to prevent the pressure of imprisonment caused by iron window grating, householders and blacksmiths unleashing their creativity to produce a wide variety of distinctive patterns. This era is widely regarded as the golden age of window gratings.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. Since the 1980s, stainless steel windows and doors have become the mainstream as iron window gratings are very rusty and need to be painted and maintained. However, stainless steel is not suitable for twisting and bending like black iron, making the culture of window gratings gradually disappear.
The Diversity of Window Gratings
A house is not merely a place to sleep, but a home where life unfolds. With the emotion and memories a house holds, window gratings became a way to express the importance of family. Therefore, window gratings is not only decorative, but also reflect local traditions and even capture the story of the house.
Common window grating designs include landscapes, plants and animals, household crafts, geometric patterns, and calligraphy. In addition, window treatments can also be used to express a space, or used as a canvas to create spectacular artwork.
For those who would like to discover the window gratings, Tainan's Guohua Street and Lukang Old Street are both worth a visit, and the stone window gratings of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall are also highly recommended. In 2020, the Wubei Village in Yunlin uses 13 window gratings located throughout the village to capture the shared memories of the residents. A trip down the streets of those unexplored towns may lead to the discovery of new worlds just around the corner.
The next time while on a walk, look up at the buildings for an unexpected encounter!
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Easter Egg
On July 1, 2025, Hamster woke up early.
As she looked out the window to check the weather,
she saw a crocodile on the street, eyes fixed on her!
From Crocodile’s point of view: That window grating looks really special!