Fuyang Kuixing Tower

Fuyang Kuixing Tower

Fuyang Kuixing Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

Kuixing Tower, located at the junction of the old city's southeastern wall in Fuyang, is also known as the Corner Tower. Legend has it that on clear days, one can see Mount Huo from the tower, hence it was referred to as "Wanghuo Tower" in old county records and commonly called the "Three-Sail Tower." Originally built in 1574 during the Ming Dynasty by Magistrate Zhao Shixiang as part of the expansion of the southern city wall, it served as a watchtower. It was renovated in 1870 during the Qing Dynasty. The entire structure is made of brick, featuring three stories and a hexagonal shape, with a total height of 9.93 meters. It has corbelled eaves, upturned ridges and corners, and is topped with an iron dancing phoenix ornament, while each of the six corners is adorned with a copper bell (changed to iron bells during the 1981 renovation). The dancing phoenix, graceful in form, was considered an auspicious omen in ancient times, giving the rooftop decoration a traditional cultural significance.

All three levels of Kuixing Tower contain rooms, but they are not interconnected. The first floor has a semi-circular arched door facing south, the second floor features one door and four circular arched windows, and the third floor’s south lintel is inscribed with “Kuibi Lianhui” (“Kui and Bi Shine Together”). “Kui,” “Bi,” and “Dou” are all constellations among the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions. “Kui Star” is the leading star of the White Tiger’s seven mansions and is said to resemble the strokes of written characters because “its curved hooks resemble the lines of script.” As a result, the *Classic of Filial Piety · Divine Ties* states that “Kui governs literature.”

The *Spring and Autumn Annals: Yuanming Sprout* even suggests that the origin of Chinese characters is related to Kui Star, claiming that Cangjie “looked up at the circular form of Kui Star, observed the patterns of fish scales and bird feathers, and the contours of mountains and rivers, and thus created writing.” The *Famous Paintings Through History* states: “Kui has radiant edges, governing literary expression below.” Since ancient texts often associated Kui Star with writing and literature, scholars throughout the ages revered the star, and towers were built in its honor across the country to pray for a flourishing literary culture and an abundance of talented writers.

Protected area: 10 meters outward from the base of the tower.

Construction control zone: 90 meters around the protected area.