Luoyang Jade Emperor Pavilion

Luoyang Jade Emperor Pavilion

The Luoyang Jade Emperor Pavilion is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

The Jade Emperor Pavilion is located in Sigou Village, Shanhua Town, Yanshi City (on the southern foothills of Phoenix Mountain), and was once part of the Northern Song Dynasty's temporary palace, Huisheng Palace, commonly known as the "Red Temple." It was first built in the 26th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1547) and was renovated in the 42nd year of the Kangxi reign.

The roof of the Jade Emperor Pavilion features a hip-and-gable roof. It faces south and sits north, with a base that is approximately 7.5 meters in both length and width, forming a hollow quadrangular pyramid. The base is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, divided into two levels resembling a pagoda, and is constructed with a brick-and-wood structure. The roof is covered with cylindrical tiles, and the lower level features decorative eaves on the front facade along with six sets of carved brick five-curved bracket sets. In the center of the southern side, there is an arched door. Inside the pavilion, a wooden staircase leads to the upper level. The walls of the upper level are adorned with colorful portraits of figures from the Ming Dynasty, full of expression, vibrant in color, though some have peeled due to age. In the center of the southern side, there is also a door, with carved dragon ornaments on both sides of the upper door frame, and above the door is a bluestone plaque from the Ming Dynasty, inscribed with the three regular script characters “玉帝阁” (Jade Emperor Pavilion). The interior roof structure is complex, with beams and rafters, and all four sloping beams are painted. Below the beams, a wooden screen curtain about 3 meters high provides support, with a wooden plaque in the center inscribed with the four characters “天心金关” (Heavenly Heart Golden Pass), created and built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty.

The indoor murals on all four sides depict Taoist figures, with full and vivid facial expressions, bright colors, lifelike appearances, and smooth lines. The costumes are elaborate, richly colored, and clearly visible. This pavilion, with its simple yet elegant ancient architecture, stands majestic and serves as a valuable reference for the study of religious architectural art and styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It also fully reflects the wisdom and construction techniques of the ancient Chinese laboring people, holding certain archaeological and artistic value.

Sigou Village: Sigou Village…… More details about Sigou Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Henan Province