One
year after Confucius’
death (478 B.C.), Duke
Ai of the State of Lu
had and Confucius’s
former residence rebuilt
into a temple to worship
and offer sacrifice to
Confucius. As the temple
was repeatedly renovated
and enlarged by emperors
from the Western Han
Dynasty onwards, it
gradually became a huge
group of ancient
buildings.
In the front part of the
temple, which consists
of nine courtyards,
visitors pass through a
number of gates, the
Pavilion of the
Constellation Scholars (Kuiwenge),
and Thirteen pavilions
of Imperial Steles (Shisanyuebeiting).
From Great Achievement
Gate (Dachengmen),
visitors can continue
the tour along one of
three routes. In the
middle route, they can
see Terrace of Apricot
Tree (Xingtan), Great
Achievement Hall (Dachengdian),
Confucius’ Bedroom (Qindian),
and Hall of Memories of
the Sage (Shengjidian).
To the east of these
halls is the former
residence of Confucius,
where tourists can visit
Hall of Rites and Poetry
(Shilitang), Wall of Lu
(Lubi), Confucius’ Well
(Guzhaijing), Worship
Ancestors Temple (Chongshengsi),
and the Confucius Family
Temple (Jiamiao). Along
the west route are Hall
of Heralding the Sage (Qishengwangdian),
used for worshipping and
offering sacrifice to
Confucius’ parents, and
Hall of Private
Apartments (Qishengwangqindian).
The walled temple, with
towers at its corners,
is composed of many
buildings with carved
beams and painted eaves,
extending for more than
one kilometer from south
to north. Inside the
wall, ancient cypresses
and pines provide the
buildings with shade.
The temple houses more
than two thousand stone
tablets with
inscriptions in various
styles of calligraphy.
The towering Great
Accomplishment Hall, the
major structure of the
temple, is 54 meters
long, 34 meters wide and
32 meters high. Its roof
is supported by
twenty-eight stone
columns standing on
pedestals shaped like
lotus flowers. The front
ten columns standing on
pedestals shaped like
lotus flowers. The front
ten columns are carved
with dragons cavorting
in a rolling sea with
clouds floating above. A
statue of Confucius
stands inside the hall. |