Longfusi Eternal Lamp Tower

Longfusi Eternal Lamp Tower

The Longfusi Eternal Lamp Tower is a cultural relic protected at the provincial level in Hebei Province.

The Longfusi Eternal Lamp Tower in Langfang is the earliest known Tang Dynasty stone lamp bearing an inscribed date. It is massive in size, rich in content, and of extremely high historical value, making it truly unique among Tang Dynasty stone lamps.

Originally located southwest of Guxian Village, Beishiwu Township, Anci District, Langfang City, the lamp tower was a relic of the Tang Dynasty Longfu Temple.

The lamp tower is made of white marble and comprises a square base with arched doorways, a lotus-petaled round base, an octagonal stone pillar, and an upturned lotus tray, standing 3.4 meters tall in total. The carvings on the stone pillar can be divided into three sections: the lower section features pointed arch niches on each face, with relief sculptures of musicians inside. On seven of the faces, musicians are depicted either kneeling or sitting on lotus pedestals, playing instruments such as flutes, pipas, and panpipes, while one face shows a dancing musician holding a long ribbon. The middle section of the pillar features a seal script inscription on the front: “Ode to the Eternal Lamp Tower of Longfu Temple, Anci County, Youzhou, Great Tang.” The preface and verses of the ode are written in regular script interspersed with running and cursive styles. The text was composed by Zhang Xuan, the magistrate of Anci County, and inscribed by Zhang Qutai, an assistant magistrate, senior clerk, and military protector of Anci County. Additionally, the pillar bears inscriptions of the "Heart Sutra," the "Lamp-Lighting Gatha," the "Wisdom of the Lamp Gatha," as well as the names and official titles of donors. The upper section of the pillar has double-layered pointed arch niches on each face, with a total of 16 Buddha statues carved inside. The Buddha hairstyles are of two types: high ushnisha and spiral curls, all adorned with lotus-petal halos. Their garments vary, including monastic robes draped over both shoulders or just the right shoulder. The Buddha bases are either octagonal or circular, with seated postures including full lotus, half lotus, and those with feet resting on lotuses. The hand mudras of the Buddhas differ, including teaching, fearlessness, and meditation mudras. The upturned lotus tray is engraved with two rings of tenon grooves, with a circular shallow hole in the center.

Compared to other stone lamps from the same period, the Longfu Temple stone lamp exhibits exquisitely fine and rigorous carving techniques, along with a solemn and unadorned style, making it a precious masterpiece of Tang Dynasty stone carving.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units in Hebei Province