The Stele of Abdication and the Altar of Abdication

The Stele of Abdication and the Altar of Abdication

The Stele of Abdication and the Altar of Abdication are designated as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

The Stele of Abdication and the Altar of Abdication are located in Fancheng Town, about 17 kilometers southwest of Xuchang City. The altar is 20 meters high and measures approximately 30 meters in both length and width. It is the site where Cao Pi, King of Wei, accepted the abdication of Emperor Xian of Han and ascended to the throne as emperor. In the tenth month of the winter of the 25th year of the Jian'an era (220 AD), Cao Pi, King of Wei, constructed a spirit altar in Fanyang (now Fancheng) and held the ceremony of abdication, where he accepted the abdication of Emperor Xian of Han, replacing the Han dynasty with the Wei and adopting the reign title Huangchu, thus becoming known as Emperor Wen of Wei.

This marked the end of the 400-year history of the Liu clan’s Han dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period of Wei, Shu, and Wu in Chinese history. The grandeur of the abdication ceremony is described by Pei Songzhi in his commentary citing the "Biography of Emperor Xian," which states: “The King of Wei ascended the altar to receive the abdication, with ministers, marquises, generals, the Chanyu of the Xiongnu, and envoys from the Four Directions—all numbering tens of thousands—attending in attendance.” This illustrates its magnificence and solemnity. In front of the altar stand two steles: the “Inscription on the Abdication” and the “Memorial by Ministers, Generals, and Commanders Requesting an Honorary Title,” both of which provide detailed accounts of this historic event.

The “Altar of Abdication” and the “Three Wonders Stele” are located in Fancheng Town, Linying County, Luohe City. They are Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level and are a Three Kingdoms cultural heritage site characterized by its humanistic landscape. In August of 220 AD, ministers proposed: “The King of Wei has spread virtue across the land, and all nations have submitted. He is the choice of all officials, and Wei should succeed Han.” Realizing the overwhelming trend and the people’s support for Wei, Emperor Xian of Han announced to his ministers his willingness to abdicate the realm to the King of Wei. Cao Pi was overjoyed and promptly ordered the swift planning and construction of the “Altar of Abdication.” The altar is 20 meters high and approximately 30 meters in both length and width, with its top railing entirely constructed from white marble. The “Three Wonders Stele” is the collective name for two stone steles: the “Stele of Abdication” and the “Memorial by Ministers, Generals, and Commanders Requesting an Honorary Title.” Fancheng Town also houses the Temple of Emperor Xian of Han, where the original structures have been destroyed, but protective shelters and west wing rooms have been built. The two steles — the Stele of Abdication and the Memorial by Ministers, Generals, and Commanders Requesting an Honorary Title — were erected in the first year of the Huangchu era of Wei. They specifically document the historical process of the ministers and generals urging Cao Pi to ascend the throne and Emperor Xian of Han abdicating to him. These two steles were composed by Minister of Works Wang Lang, calligraphed by Imperial Secretary Liang Hu, and engraved by Palace Attendant Zhong Yao. As the text, calligraphy, and engraving were all of exceptional quality, they are referred to as the “Three Wonders Stele” and serve as a historical testament to the transition from the Han to the Wei regime.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level