Huoshen Temple

Huoshen Temple

Huoshen Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Huoshen Temple, also known as the "Imperially Commissioned Temple of the God of Fire Virtue," is located outside Di’anmen in Beijing, adjacent to Shichahai. The temple was originally built in the sixth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (632 AD) and has a history of over 1,300 years. It was renovated in the sixth year of the Zhiyuan era of Emperor Shundi of the Yuan Dynasty (1346 AD). During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, due to repeated fires in the imperial palace, the emperor ordered the expansion of the temple and bestowed it with glazed tiles to suppress the fire. In the 24th year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1759 AD), it was renovated again, and “both the gate and the rear pavilion were fitted with yellow tiles.”

The main structures of Huoshen Temple are largely well-preserved. At the southernmost end is the Long’en Hall, which enshrines the Long’en True Lord Wang Lingguan (the Heavenly General of the Jade Pivot Fire Mansion). To the north lies the main hall, the Huozu Hall, which enshrines the God of the Southern Fire Virtue Yinghuo Star — commonly known as the Ancestor of Fire or the God of Fire. Originally, the Huozu Hall housed an imperial plaque and couplet written by Emperor Qianlong. The plaque was inscribed with “Commander of the South’s Utility,” and the couplet read: “Grain and beans both depend on benevolence; success is achieved through aid. Locust and elm trees are distributed in order; beauty lies in cultivation.” Additionally, the hall features an exquisitely crafted gilded octagonal dragon caisson ceiling, a rare sight in Beijing. To the north of the Huozu Hall is the Doumu Pavilion, which once displayed an imperial plaque inscribed “Wondrous Controller of the Celestial Pivot.” The northernmost structure is the “Wansui Jingming Pavilion,” commonly called the Jade Emperor Pavilion. It once featured an imperial plaque inscribed “Purple Cloud Incense Altar.” Under the connecting corridors on either side of the “Wansui Jingming Pavilion” were side gates that led directly to a waterside pavilion behind the temple, offering views of the misty waves of Shichahai — alas, this no longer exists.

Over time, Huoshen Temple developed its own unique folk customs, the most significant of which was the grand celebration on the 22nd day of the sixth lunar month, the birthday of the Ancestor of Fire. In the past, the emperor would send officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to conduct ceremonies each year. (According to the Ming Xi Zong Shi Lu: “In March of the first year of the Tianqi era (1621 AD), officials were ordered to worship the God of Fire Virtue on the 22nd day of the sixth month, and this was made an annual decree.”) In the late Qing Dynasty and during the Republic of China era, the temple held annual Ghost Festival rituals, during which wealthy families funded the construction of massive “Universal Salvation Boats,” which were then burned on the temple’s outer pathway. Onlookers crowded the pathway, making it a notable spectacle in the capital.

Although Huoshen Temple is a royal Taoist temple, it has always been managed by Zhengyi sect Taoist priests. Legend has it that when the Celestial Master Zhang visited the capital, he often stayed at Huoshen Temple. During the 1930s and 1940s, the temple’s abbot, Tian Zijiu, was highly sociable and well-known in society. He was considered one of the “Four Young Masters of the Capital” and was also known as the “Most Handsome Old Taoist in Peking.”

Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development