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Yuan Dynasty Three Sovereigns Temple Stone Carvings

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These are the earliest stone carvings discovered so far within Suqian. The stele is located on the west side of the square in front of the mountain gate of Zhenru Chan Temple. The "Three Sovereigns Temple Creation of Side Halls Stele" was unearthed in July 1985. The stele stands 3.84 meters tall in total, with the front and back of its top slab both featuring intricate carvings of two coiled dragons fighting over a pearl—so vivid they seem ready to leap off the stone. At the center of the stele’s top slab is a seal script inscription that reads: “Creation of Side Halls…” The base of the stele is made of…, featuring…, today still intact, with clear and distinct carvings. The body of the stele is solid and well-preserved. The inscription, dated to the 7th month of the lunar calendar in 1337 (the 3rd year of the Zhiyuan era during the reign of Yuan Emperor Huizong), was composed by Yan Fengzhen, a locally recommended scholar from Yuncheng County, Yanzhou Road, during the summer; calligraphy and seal engraving were done by Zhu Yingxian, an official physician from Su County and supervisor of the Songjiang Prefecture Medical Bureau; and the carving was executed by Liu Yunsun of Xiapi. The content praises the achievements of the county magistrate Wang Zhongkuan, who donated his salary to construct the side halls of the Three Sovereigns Temple and to create statues of ten renowned physicians.

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The Yuan Dynasty Three Sovereigns Temple Stone Carvings are a protected cultural relic of Suqian City.

These are the earliest stone carvings discovered so far within Suqian. The stele is located on the west side of the square in front of the mountain gate of Zhenru Chan Temple.

The "Three Sovereigns Temple Creation of Side Halls Stele" was unearthed in July 1985. The stele stands 3.8

Stele of the Record on the Construction of the Three Sovereigns Temple This stele was erected in the fifth year of the Yuanyou era during the Yuan Dynasty (1318). The stele stands 2.30 meters high, 1.02 meters wide, and 0.22 meters thick. When excavated, the stele’s top cap was missing, the upper edge of the body was cracked, and some characters were blurred. The text is written in a running-script regular script style and praises the virtues of the Three Sovereigns including the Yellow Emperor, as well as later sages, “who dedicated themselves to the healing arts and served the people’s welfare.” It elaborates on the philosophy that “in ancient times there was no distinction between noble and humble—those skilled in medicine were regarded as teachers,” and the idea that “if you cannot be a good prime minister, be a good doctor.” It also briefly describes the purpose and process behind planning the construction of the Three Sovereigns Temple. This stele is currently preserved at the Hometown of Xiang Yu.