Huangchuan Iron Flagpoles

Huangchuan Iron Flagpoles

The bases of the iron flagpoles are hexagonal with six tiers. The bottom three stone tiers feature relief carvings such as magpies playing among plum blossoms, deer running through white clouds, Bole observing horses, and two dragons playing with a pearl. The upper three tiers are iron blocks cast with various patterns and inscriptions. Each flagpole stands 20 meters tall, with a diameter of 0.28 meters, and weighs a total of 17,500 kilograms. At the top of each pole stands a golden phoenix with wings spread as if ready to fly, beneath which a smaller and a larger coiled dragon spiral in an orderly fashion—one above the other—creating a vivid depiction of four dragons facing off. With the phoenix at the top and the dragons encircling the middle, the design conveys the auspicious symbolism of "dragons and phoenixes bringing prosperity." Between the dragons and phoenixes are three hollow square “wan”-patterned tiers that serve to hang copper bells.

At the lower end of each flagpole, a lotus-shaped tiger head holds an iron-cast couplet. The upper line reads: “The iron poles sing praises of virtue reaching a thousand feet,” and the lower line: “The copper pillars display sincerity shining through the nine heavens.”