Pan Pond

Pan Pond

Pan Pond is a cultural tourism attraction.

“Pan Pond” is a semicircular pool located between the Dacheng Hall and the Lingxing Gate in the Wenmiao (Temple of Literature) of Xincai County, serving as a symbol of official schools. According to ancient rites, the central school of the Son of Heaven (emperor) featured an academic hall called the “Bi Yong,” surrounded by water on all sides, while the schools of feudal lords could only face the Pan water to the south, hence called the “Pan Palace.”

Historical records state: “The pond has a shoreline three zhang in circumference, protected by a crescent-shaped wall, supported by stone beams beneath which wells were dug to receive various streams. From this, cool springs emerge from the earth, and sweet rain falls from the sky—filling without overflowing, accumulating without rotting. Moreover, the air is harmonious and mild, and all things thrive in peace. Those that soar here include kites; those that swim beneath include fish; and those that flourish lushly include celery.”

The shape of “Pan Pond” is semicircular—neither full nor deficient—also symbolizing Confucius’s teaching that learning is endless. Knowledge is like the water in this semicircular pool, never able to become perfectly round. It later came to be known as the “Sea of Learning,” giving rise to the famous saying, “The sea of learning knows no bounds; a boat of hard work is the means to cross it.” Photo by Fan Jinfeng