Threshold (door)

The doorstep is a board or a flat stone between the vertical members of the door frame.

It covers joints and serves as a lower stop for the door leaf. Through the use of thresholds to noise and drafts can be reduced; the penetration of water into space is prevented by appropriately high thresholds. Goods door thresholds - especially those in sacred buildings - formerly often significantly higher, are now in public buildings for the sake of accessibility thresholds not allowed. If technically possible, otherwise the height must not exceed 2 cm ( DIN 18040 ). In barrier- free apartments lower door stops are to be avoided, according to DIN 18040 as well. If this is not possible, they may not be more than 2 inches high.

Symbolism: The threshold in customs, literature and superstition

In northern Sardinian megalithic and rock tombs threshold stones that separate the profane from the sacred area find. The "border" ( limen ) at the Carmen Arvale may possibly be the threshold, but the significance of this ritual singing not clear.

The Romans considered the right side as auspicious, the left as inauspicious. Therefore, visitors who entered a house, put your right foot over the threshold first. Also known since the Roman times is the widespread custom of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold of the house, where the couple will live together. He probably symbolizes a common entry into a new stage of life, but may be behind this procedure at the same time the idea that the guardian of the house, or evil spirits would be defeated, so the bride can be done no evil, or the bride must be prevented from on the stumble threshold, which is a bad omen.

The residents of Chinese courtyards maintain high thresholds ( Menkan ) for protection. , Not only from dirt and small animals that should not come into the house, but also against misfortune Small children should not be near the thresholds, so hit them no harm.

In Russia, too, the idea that staying between two rooms is ominously widespread. Therefore, visitors will only be prompted to enter and then welcomed, but not on the doorstep. Other important actions may not take place on the doorstep.

In Goethe's Faust I fist said to have his doorstep protected by a pentagram against the intrusion of evil spirits, but because the icon is not done carefully enough, it is possible Mephisto in poodle form the barrier to be overcome.

In Joseph von Eichendorff Taugenichts the threshold can be seen as a symbolic border between this world and the hereafter.