Their tall masts symbolize the World Axis. The lower roof is there to protect the cubic element that represents Earth. The upper roof and the mast or post rising from it represents fire. The central mast rises through all elements. Ether, in the form of a cintamani is at the top of the mast.
Water is represented by a circle and air by a half circle.
Recently, pagodas have been becoming a thing of the past as other symbolic forms surface. Followers of this tradition rely on the Buddha's grace for salvation rather than upon personal effort. Pagodas remain a lasting testimony to Buddhists' religious beliefs. Bibliography Kraft, Kenneth. Zen Tradition and Transition.