Ling Star Gate is the main gate of Confucian Temple. Ling Star is the star for talent in the heaven according to the ancient legend. The gate is named after Ling Star because it implies that the nation abounds with talented men. Therefore, when emperors offered sacrifices to the heaven, they first offered to Ling Star. They also did the same to Confucius. Ling Star Gate was built in the 19th year of Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (1754). It has iron beams, 6 stone pillars and 4 stone columns. There are 4 stone statues of heaven commanders who look awe-inspiring and haughty. At the bottom, the columns have stone drums holding them, which make the architecture solemn and elegant in style.
The Second Gate is also called Shengshi Gate. With 3 gateways, it looks like a gate of a castle. On the front and back imperial roads, there are 2 Ming-Dynasty relief sculptures of 2 dragons playing with a pearl. The dragons in the sculptures overturn rivers and seas and spit clouds and fog, looking majestic in manner. Shengshi Gate was built in the Ming Dynasty. It has upturned eaves, arch vaults and green glazed tile on its top. On its front there is a white marble lane called Taihiyuanqi Lane, which praises Confucius as capable of containing everything like heaven and earth. On the eastern and western sides there is a wooden lane respectively. They are similar in style, both having decorated archways with 3 rooms, 4 columns, many arch vaults and upturned eaves on their top. On the columns are carved stone lions and heaven gods in a simple style.
Kuiwen Pavilion is located in the center of the Confucian Temple. It is a pavilion for storing books. Kui Star is one of the 28 lunar mansions in ancient China and betokens article. Kuiwen Pavilion was built in the 2nd year (1018) of the Tianyou reign of the Song Dynasty and was rebuilt in the 19th year (1483) of the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty. It has 3 layers of upturned eaves and 4 layers of arch vaults, 7 face rooms and 5 inside rooms. It is 30 meters long, 17.62 meters wide and 23.25 meters high. Inside the pavilions, there are 2 storeys with an interlayer between them, and its structure is peculiar and craftsmanship is intriguing. The upper floor is for storing the books and writings bestowed by emperors. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, a special official was appointed to manage these books and writings. The interlayer is for storing printing plates of books. The lower floor is for storing what were needed to offer sacrifices to Confucius, such as incense and silk. Kuiwen Apricot Altar in said to be the place where Confucius gave lectures. It is located in the center of the courtyard in front of Dacheng Palace. It was built in the 2nd year (1024) of the Tiansheng reign of the Song Dynasty. The altar was enclosed with apricots and thus named Apricot Altar in memory of Confucius giving lectures here. In the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), a pavilion was added to the altar and a stone stele with the two Chinese characters that mean Apricot Altar written in seal script by a great scholar Dang Huaiying was erected in the pavilion. The altar was rebuilt in the 3rd year (1569) of the Longqing reign of the Ming Dynasty, which is today’s Apricot Altar. Apricot Altar was a square pavilion with double yellow-tiled eaves double arch vaults and crisscross beams. The sunk panel was delicately carved with golden dragons. Around the altar the apricots are luxuriant and full of vitality.
Dacheng Palace is the main architecture of the Confucian Temple. It is 32 meters high, 54 meters long and 34 meters deep. It has 9 layers of eaves, yellow tiles, crossed arch vault, carved columns and winding corridors. The supporting eaves have 28 columns, which are 5.98 meters in height and 0.81 meter in diameter. The back eaves have 18 columns carved with 72 dragons each. The front eaves have 10 columns, each with relief sculptures of 2 dragons flying to each other. Inside the palace are hung 10 huge inscribed boards with such words as A Teacher For Ever and 3 couplets, which are all written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. In the center of the palace is the statue of Confucius, with his 72 disciples and other great Confucians on his left and right. All the grand ceremonies to fete Confucius were held in this palace. Beside the palace is a huge stone base for a Buddha, which is 2 meters high and occupies an area of 1836 square meters. In front of the palace is a spacious open stage where the Bayou Dance for offering sacrifices to Confucius was held.
In addition, in the Confucian Temple there are also Qin Palace for offering sacrifices to Confucius’ wife, Shengji Palace where the Shengji Painting is stored, Poem and Etiquette Hall where emperors learned poems and practiced etiquette, Gold Silk Hall where the Confucian clan have dinners, Chongsheng Hall where Confucius’ last five generations of forebear are consecrated, Qisheng Palace for offering sacrifices to Confucius’ father and Queli Lane which is Confucius’ old house. These are all architectures with green tiles and upturned eaves.
(Source: chinaculture.org)
