Yao Temple, Linfen – Enshring the Three Legendary Saints

Upon entering Yao Temple, the first sight that greets visitors is the elegant Five Phoenix Tower. Originally built during the Qianfeng era of the Tang Dynasty, the tower has a history spanning over 1,300 years. Standing 19.3 meters tall, the tower features three levels and twelve eaves, with three brick archways at its base and thirteen vertical corner pillars that extend through all three levels, creating a majestic structure. The roof is adorned with over thirty ceramic figures, including a central ceramic lion, which are designed to move gracefully with the wind. The tower’s name, “Five Phoenix Tower,” is derived from a legend where Emperor Yao and his four chief ministers—often referred to metaphorically as “phoenixes”—would ascend the tower to gaze into the distance. This symbolism is captured in the saying, “One phoenix ascends to heaven, four phoenixes sing in harmony.”

Behind the Five Phoenix Tower lies the Yao Well Pavilion, a structure that dates back over 1,600 years to the Tai Ning era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The pavilion is designed in a delicate hexagonal form with high eaves, exuding a unique and charming appearance. The well inside the pavilion is said to have been dug by Emperor Yao himself. The well has a diameter of just eight inches, with a double-layered well wall constructed from nine interlocking bricks per layer, forming a circular structure. According to legend, the Yao Well connects to the sea, with its clear and refreshing water constantly bubbling up from below, making it drinkable.

Also known as Yao Palace, Guangyun Hall is the central structure of Yao Temple, where Emperor Yao would summon his ministers to discuss state affairs. Originally built in the third year of the Xianqing era of the Tang Dynasty, the hall has a history of over 1,300 years. The hall stands 23 meters tall, with a depth of 26.3 meters and a width of 43 meters. Inside, there are 42 pillars, each 12 meters tall, supporting the structure. The stone bases of these pillars are intricately carved, featuring lifelike depictions of lions, qilins, and various flowers, making them a rare sight in China. Within the hall’s niche stands a 2.8-meter-tall statue of Emperor Yao, flanked by statues of two prime ministers and two senior ministers. According to legend, Emperor Yao’s surname was Yi, and he was originally from Yi Village, located eight miles south of the temple. The village still has a stone tablet inscribed with “Emperor Yao’s Thatched Hut and Earthen Steps,” marking the location where Yao is said to have lived in a humble thatched house.

Surrounding Yao Well are four ancient cypress trees, each with its own unique story. On the west side, the “Cypress Embracing Catalpa” and “Cypress Embracing Pagoda Tree” are particularly remarkable. In the “Cypress Embracing Catalpa,” a catalpa tree grows from within the cypress, blooming with red flowers in May, a sight that astonishes visitors. The “Cypress Embracing Pagoda Tree” was transplanted from Ci’en Temple in Xi’an over 600 years ago, and every early summer, the fragrant flowers of the pagoda tree bloom amidst the cypress branches. On the east side, one tree is called “Deer-Calling Cypress,” and the other “Night-Laughing Cypress.” The “Deer-Calling Cypress” is named after an event in the Tang Dynasty when a pair of sika deer suddenly appeared under the tree, prancing and calling out as a statue of Emperor Yao and his wife, the Deer Fairy, was being sculpted in the palace. The branches of this cypress resemble deer antlers. The “Night-Laughing Cypress” was transplanted from India by a monk in ancient times. This tree grows mostly at night, and on New Year’s Eve, it emits a rustling sound reminiscent of human laughter, hence its name.

Housed within the bell tower of Yao Temple, the Zhonghua Emperor Yao Bell is an impressive symbol of Chinese cultural heritage. Weighing 21 tons, it signifies its casting in the 21st century. The bell stands 366 centimeters tall, representing the 366 days of a leap year in the lunar calendar, and has a diameter of 240 centimeters, symbolizing the 24 solar terms of the year. The bell’s 12 teeth represent the 12 months of the year.

The surface of the bell is adorned with eight intricate reliefs, each depicting a legendary scene from ancient Chinese history, including Hou Yi shooting down the suns, Yu the Great controlling the floods, Xi He creating the calendar, Gao Yao as the divine judge, peaceful political discussions, Emperor Yao’s simple lifestyle with coarse food and clothing, his visits to seek virtuous men at Mount Li, and his abdication in favor of Emperor Shun. These scenes celebrate the profound cultural legacy of Emperor Yao, extolling the virtues and accomplishments of the “Three Sages” (Yao, Shun, and Yu) and praising the prosperous era they symbolize.