Zhenwu Temple in Ye County

Zhenwu Temple in Ye County

Zhenwu Temple in Ye County is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

Zhenwu Temple is located at the north gate of Kunyang Town, Ye County, on the north side of the Ye-Lu Highway. The 1871 Ye County Annals from the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty record: “Zhenwu Temple is situated outside the north gate of the county. From the Shunzhi to the Daoguang reigns, Magistrates Xu Hongxiang, Cai Wenjia, Chen Dexiu, and Lu Chuanxun carried out successive renovations.” This temple remained well-preserved in the early years after liberation and was hailed as the “Northern Wudang of the Central Plains.” Later, due to the construction of the Ye-Lu Highway, it was largely demolished, leaving only the main hall. During the Cultural Revolution, some wanted to destroy the murals on the hall, but locals covered them with lime plaster, preserving them. After decades of weathering, the lime peeled off, revealing the murals’ former splendor.

The main hall of Zhenwu Temple in Ye County is a hanging-roof style structure, facing south. The murals are preserved on the eastern and western walls of the hall, primarily depicting the story of Zhenwu Dadi (the Great Emperor Zhenwu) attaining immortality and ascending to heaven. Zhenwu Temple enshrines Zhenwu Dadi, also known as Xuanwu Dadi, commonly referred to by the public as Ancestral Master or Lord God. He is the incarnation of the Northern Xuanwu Star Deity. Xuanwu originally referred to the collective name for the northern constellations among the Twenty-Eight Mansions. Records date back to the Warring States period. The “Chu Ci • Yuan You” contains the line “Summon Xuanwu to follow along,” and Hong Xingzu’s “Annotations to the Chu Ci,” Volume 5, states: “Xuanwu refers to the turtle and snake, located in the north, hence called ‘Xuan’ (mysterious), and having scales and armor, hence called ‘Wu’ (martial).” Therefore, depictions of Xuanwu Dadi, whether paintings or statues, all show him as “black-clothed with disheveled hair, wielding a sword, treading on a turtle and snake, with attendants holding black flags.”

Legend has it that Xuanwu Dadi entered Wudang Mountain to study Taoism at the age of 15. His father, the King, missed him and sent five hundred soldiers into the mountain to search for him. These soldiers also ended up studying Taoism with him. After Xuanwu Dadi was enthroned by the Jade Emperor as the True Man Xuanwu, the five hundred soldiers also ascended to immortality, becoming the Five Hundred Lingguan (spiritual officers). In the early Tang Dynasty, Xuanwu Dadi was conferred the title of Yu Sheng Xuanwu Ling Ying Zhen Jun (Sagely and Responsive True Lord Xuanwu Who Protects Holiness) by Emperor Taizong of Tang. Later, Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty changed the title to Zhenwu Dadi to avoid the taboo character “Xuan” (same as the name of his imperial ancestor Zhao Xuanlang).

The murals on the eastern and western walls of the main hall recount the story of Zhenwu Dadi’s incarnation, miraculous birth, renouncing worldly life, entering the mountain to cultivate Taoism, achieving enlightenment, being lifted to heaven by five dragons, ascending during daylight, being enthroned by the Jade Emperor as the Dark Heaven Emperor, and his five hundred accompanying soldiers also ascending to become the Five Hundred Lingguan. The paintings depict figures, animals, flying dragons, clouds, mountains and rivers, pavilions and towers, carts, boats, horses, flowers, trees, and more. The entire mural sequence tells a coherent story, with vividly portrayed characters and swirling clouds, creating an atmosphere filled with mystery, serenity, and a sense of being in a celestial realm.

The murals in the main hall of Zhenwu Temple in Ye County are well-preserved, featuring an ancient painting style, smooth lines, and elegant coloring. The murals depict city fortifications, thatched cottages, courtyards and gardens, roads and bridges in fields and markets, arranged in layered complexity. Various sizes of houses and tall and short flowering trees create a tranquil and profound environment. The paintings express the narrative with precision, while the scenes are mysterious and ethereal, faintly visible, reflecting the realistic and romantic styles of ancient painting art. They hold significant value for the study of ancient Chinese politics, history, art, religious beliefs, and the evolution of Chinese painting art.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units