In Chinese. 
As an important bracket set in Chinese wooden architecture, dou (and gong) their early form can be identified from some Chinese bronze vessels.  In early China, bronze vessels were possessed by the upper classes and were exclusively used for ritual ceremonies. As food and wine containers, bronze vessels were often excessively decorated by various symbols that served for establishing the communication between heaven and earth.  In these bronze vessels, the structural function of dougong is largely diminished, while its symbolic function is by contrast augmented. Through discussing the cultural meanings of dougong within its physical context as an attachment to early bronze vessels, we might clearly see that dougong as first a ladle for carrying liquid, can be developed to a totem, symbolizing the connection between earth and heaven. In such a light, hopefully the cultural meanings of dougong in architecture can be better understood.