Confucius Temple Kuixing Pavilion

Confucius Temple Kuixing Pavilion

The Confucius Temple Kuixing Pavilion is a cultural tourism attraction.

Kuixing Pavilion — Originally known as Kuiguang Pavilion, Kuixing Pavilion is one of the famous historical landmarks in the ancient architectural complex of the Confucius Temple, also referred to as Wenxing Pavilion. It was a symbol of “achieving the highest scholarly honor” during the imperial examination era and held great prestige. First built during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong reign, it was renovated during the Daoguang period but was destroyed by war in the Xianfeng era. It was rebuilt again during the Tongzhi reign, and during the Anti-Japanese War, the Japanese invasion...

When they occupied Nanjing, it was destroyed once more. Today, it stands again by the Qinhuai River. In the old days, when Nanjing had no skyscrapers, this scenic spot along the Qinhuai could be seen from miles around, becoming a landmark of the Confucius Temple.

What does “Kuixing” mean? According to ancient texts, it is one of the 28 lunar mansions. It was first mentioned in the Han Dynasty’s apocryphal text “Xiaojing Yuanshenqi,” which stated that “Kui governs literature.”

“Its form hooks together, resembling the strokes of writing.” As a result, later generations evolved the concept of “Kuixing” into the foremost celestial official of literature, the deity governing literary fortune and the rise and fall of writing. Feudal emperors throughout history compared Confucius to “Kuixing,” but the Kuixing Pavilion at the Confucius Temple in Qufu was named Kuwen Pavilion, dedicated to housing various books and calligraphic works bestowed by emperors through the ages. Originally called the “Book Depository,” it was renamed Kuwen Pavilion in the second year of the Mingchang era (1191 AD) during the reign of Emperor Zhangzong of the Jin Dynasty. From then on, the trend of constructing “Kuixing Pavilions” to worship the literary star arose. Therefore, in the feudal society where literary talent was selected through imperial examinations, Kuixing Pavilions were always built next to Confucian temples, and later, “Kui” was transformed into “Kui” (魁, meaning “top scholar”).

In the past, a deity in the shape of a ghost was enshrined inside the Kuixing Pavilion. One foot was hooked up backward, resembling the large hook of the character “Kui”; one hand held a dipper, symbolizing the small “dipper” character within “Kui”; the other hand held a brush poised as if dotting, signifying the selection of a successful examination candidate. This is the legendary “Kui Star Dotting the Dipper.” During the imperial examination era, it was said that “Kui Star Dotting the Dipper” was an omen of flourishing literary success. Thus, inspired by the visual symbolism of the character “Kui,” such a statue—half ghost, half deity—was created inside the pavilion. Qing Dynasty scholars held deep reverence for this “Kui Star” statue. Before each autumn examination, worshippers flocked to pay their respects.