What’s the difference between a gazebo and a pagoda? Is it possible to make a gazebo vs pagoda comparison? Are they two different things or are they analogous? Here is a bit of both.
Both, a gazebo and a pagoda are outdoor structures, but there are some differences between them. The most visible difference is that pagodas typically have several floors, while gazebos are one-story houses.
Gazebos also often serve as places to eat outside or put up for open-air celebrations, especially in the summertime.
On the other hand, pagodas do not usually encourage people to sit and enjoy its shade and company because it serves as a place of worship and sites for religious artifacts and Buddhist symbols.
What Is A Pagoda?
A pagoda is a multi-story building that takes its name from the Sanskrit word for “pagoda” (a place to put religious artifacts).
The original pagodas were storied buildings designed to house Buddhist relics. Pagodas served a variety of religious purposes, both Buddhist and Taoist, and were often situated near monasteries.
The pagoda is a direct descendant of the stupa of ancient India.
A stupa is a mound-like or hemispheric structure used as a place of meditation that contains relics.
What Is A Gazebo?
A gazebo is a small structure with open sides, often found near garden areas and swimming pools.
Gazebos are mainly used as open-air rooms for relaxation and entertainment, but can also be places where food is eaten outside during the summertime.
Gazebos evolved from pavilions, built-in European gardens throughout the 18th century.
Differences Between A Pagoda And Gazebo
There is a difference between a pagoda and a gazebo, but they are both structures used for many different things.
The pagoda is a building with several floors that serve a religious purpose in the past and present.
Gazebos are mainly used as a place where people can relax or hold parties in the summertime because of their open-air structure.
The gazebo is traditionally built using wood, while pagodas have been traditionally made from stone, brick, mud-bricks, and timbers depending on what is available locally in each type of climate conditions to be built and what material can be used for the circumstances.
Gazebo Vs Pagoda Summary
The gazebo is typically one-story tall, while pagodas can be multiple floors tall, although this varies depending on where it is located and what type of cultural influences have shaped that area’s architecture.
They both provide shelter from weather conditions such as rain or sun, but the purpose of a gazebo would mainly be for entertainment and relaxation, while the pagoda was originally designed to house Buddhist relics or artifacts and serve as a place of worship.
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