In its complete, original form (some of its elements may be either missing or additions), like the "gorintō" and the pagoda the "dai-dōrō" represents the five elements of Buddhist cosmology. The bottom-most piece, touching the ground, represents "chi", the earth; the next section represents "sui", or water; "ka" or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern's light or flame, while "fū" (air) and "kū" (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. The segments express the idea that after death our physical bodies will go back to their original, elemental form.