Shishenggu Cliff Carvings at Shuang’ao

Shishenggu Cliff Carvings at Shuang’ao

The Shishenggu Cliff Carvings at Shuang’ao are a cultural relic protection unit of Longwan District.

The Shishenggu Cliff Carvings at Shuang’ao are located on Nanshan Ancient Buddha Rock in Shuang’ao Village, Yongzhong Town, Longwan District. Carved during the Ming Dynasty, there are currently 14 surviving statues, divided into three groups, forming a semi-relief ensemble of Buddhist and Taoist figures. The main figures include the Three Officials (namely the Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official, also known as the Three Yuan), the Earth God, Kṣitigarbha (Earth Store Bodhisattva), Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha), Shakyamuni Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha. The statues at Shishenggu are benevolent in expression, with simple and rustic craftsmanship, showcasing a relatively high level of artistic merit. The largest statue stands 1.33 meters tall, 0.55 meters wide, and protrudes 0.21 meters. Above the second statue on the eastern side, there is an inscription in intaglio regular script reading: “Zhang’s mother donated eight zhang of mountain path and forty-two zhang of public road, praying for a long life,” comprising 21 characters.

Source: Wenzhou Museum