One of the coolest features of Chinese old-styled courtyards are the gate blocks, known as mendun'r in Chinese. Architecturally, gate blocks are the stone mounts that secure the wooden doorframes to residence walls. The baseboards between the gate blocks force people to step over it - and also keep out evil spirits or disease.
Gate blocks were created in two shapes: round ones somewhat like drums, and rectangular ones, both of which were carved with exquisite pattern designs. An important part of courtyard houses, the gate blocks were also kind of elegant stone craftworks.

It is hard to pinpoint exactly when mendun'r first appeared. According to historical records, menzhen (blocks of stone used at the base of door shafts) appeared in courtyard houses as early as the Han Dynasty. The gate blocks might have gradually evolved from these stone blocks. In fact, carvings appeared on the outside part of menzhen a long time ago. For example, the menzhen of the stone gate to the Empress Wencheng's Mausoleum of the Northern Wei Dynasty (452-465) was made in the shape of a tiger 's head.

  Gate Blocks' origin and evolvement

  Carved Menzhen Stones

Since the outdoor part of a menzhen stone was visible to every passerby, it was natural for people to decorate it. Then one day, a man carved some decorative lines on it, as is recorded in a historical book. This was believed to be the predecessor of formal gate blocks that we can see today.

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