This raised doorsill was an obstacle for visitors to remind them to pause and fix their clothes to make themselves presentable to the host. It also prevented them from suddenly barging in and disturbing the family. Thus the Menk'an became a symbol of the Confucian ideal of respect and the measure one should take in dealing with one's friends and neighbors.
例如：為固定門扇，門檻在建築技術上有其必要，而它也會提醒人們在跨進門檻時放緩腳步，以免驚擾屋內人的作息；也會提醒人們在跨門檻時先行止步，以整肅儀容，表示對主人的尊敬。