| Zhenguo Temple | |
|---|---|
 The Wanfo Hall of Zhenguo Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Daoist |
| Province | Shanxi |
| Location | |
| Location | Ruicheng |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1262 Yuan Dynasty |
The Yonglegong (simplified Chinese: 北岳庙; traditional Chinese: 北嶽廟; pinyin: Běi Yùe Mìao; lit. 'Palace of Eternal Pleasure') is a Daoist temple located in Ruicheng, Shanxi Province, China.
History edit
The Yonglegong was first built as a shrine in the town of Yongle to celebrate the life of the Daoist immortal Lü Dongbin. It is uncertain whether Lü actually lived in Yongle, but stone inscriptions indicate that by the end of the tenth century, a shrine had been built on the reputed location of his house. During the Song Dynasty, it became a thriving religious site, and during the Jin Dynasty it was converted into a guan (explain). However, the complex was severely damaged during the warfare that accompanied to fall of the Jin Dynasty.
Move to Ruicheng (expand from green book) edit
The Yonglegong was rediscovered by historians in 1954 and its architectural and cultural importance was immediately recognized (date from Chinese architecture). It was deemed so important by the government that when a dam threatened to inundate the complex, it was decided in 1959 to move the complex 25 km to a location just north of the town of Ruicheng.[1]
Layout edit
The current layout of the Yonglegong is different from the layout prior to its move to Ruicheng. The main axis of the Yonglegong contains five buildings. The first building, at the south end of the complex is the main gate followed by the Wuji Gate. Further along the axis are the Sanqing Hall, the Chunyang Hall and finally the Chongyang Hall. To the east and west of the main axis are some small Daoist halls and to the north is a shrine to Lü Dongbin and an artificial hill.
Main Gate edit
The main gate was constructed during the Qing Dynasty.
Wuji Gate edit
The Wuji Gate (Gate of the Ultimateless 无极门) dates from 1294, and its walls have murals depicting divine soldiers and generals. During festivals, the northern side of the gate acted as a stage for performances.
Sanqing Hall edit
Sanqing Hall (Hall of Three clarities 三清殿), completed in 1262, lies 80 meters to the north of the Wuji Gate. This is the largest hall in the complex, covering an area of over 430 square meters. Statues of the Daoist supreme deities, the three clarities, were once present in this hall (are they still?)
Chunyang Hall edit
Chongyang Hall edit
Lü Dongbin's Tomb edit
Other Structures edit
Notes edit
- ^ To fill in.
References edit
- Howard, Angela Falco, et al. Chinese Sculpture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006. ISBN 0300100655
- Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman. Liao Architecture. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1997. ISBN 0824818431
- Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman ed. Chinese Architecture. New Haven: Yale University, 2002. ISBN 9780300095593
- Zhao Yu, (in Chinese) ed. Shanxi. Beijing: Chinese Travel Press, 2007. ISBN 9787503230011
- Shu En. (in Chinese) Yonglegong. Taiyuan: Shanxi People's Press, 2002. ISBN 7203045137