臺灣廟宇秉持大陸閩南建築的傳統。其中，螭虎斗拱乃是常見而且重要的建築元素之一。誠如20 世紀活躍台灣傳統廟宇建築的大木匠師王錦木，便是來自閩南泉州惠安，而且善於運用此一螭虎斗拱的重要藝師。除此，相對於早期藝匠的口語相傳、不留文字，王錦木則是留下紙本的《拱頭備忘本》等圖稿，以及對應此一圖稿的大量作品。 因此，本研究將在上述基礎之上，首先進行王錦木家族、同僚、弟子等相關人士的訪談，並且收集、分析相關文獻資料，同時整理設計圖稿，比對相關廟宇建築，從而適度還原匠師的生平事蹟及其藝術成就（第二章）。 其次，進行圖稿的類型分析以及作品之比對。此一研究，將以王錦木遺留的圖稿為基礎，剖析螭虎、螭龍圖紋的基本構成元素，從而劃分類型，逐一分析構成元素之間的組合模式，並且比對寺廟作品，釐清王錦木設計之下，螭虎斗拱的意匠與風格（第三、四章） 最後，比較王錦木設計的螭虎斗拱以及當時閩南、台灣地區的相關作品。從而確立王錦木設計的獨特性，及其對於台灣廟宇建築與裝飾的影響與貢獻（第五章）。 Taiwanese temples inherit the designs from Mainland Minnan architectural traditions. Among them, Chi Tiger Arch is one of the most common and important architectural elements. Carpenter Wang Jinmu, active in the 20 Century’s Taiwanese temple construction, came from Minnan Quanzhou Huian and is a master specialized in the Chi Tiger Arch. Furthermore, contrary to the common practice of oral communication with no written records among skilled artists, Wang Jinmu has passed down paper version of the [[Arch Design Memorandum]] drafts, and a great amount of products corresponding to these drafts. Therefore, building upon the foundation described above, the present study will first interview the family of Wang Jinmu, his colleagues and disciples; collect and analyze the relevant literature; organize the design drafts; compare them to the related temple constructions; and to rebuild his life history and art accomplishments (Chapter Two). Then, compare the categories in the drafts to the actual products. This analysis will use the drafts passed down by Master Wang Jinmu as the basis to analyze the basic elements of Chi Tiger, Chi Dragon carvings, categorize its designs, gradually analyze the combinations of different elements, then compare with the temple products to clarify the sprit and style of Master Wang’s Chi Tiger Arch designs(Chapter Three and Four). Lastly, compare the Chi Tiger Arch designed by Wang Jinmu and the related products in Minnan and Taiwan at that time period. Then, confirm the uniqueness of the designed by Wang Jinmu and its impact and contribution to the Taiwanese temple constructions and decorations (Chapter Five).
