Temple of the Xiang Consorts

Temple of the Xiang Consorts

The Temple of the Xiang Consorts is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Temple of the Xiang Consorts, also known as the Xiangshan Shrine, is located on the eastern side of Junshan Island and is one of the earliest shrine structures in Hunan. The "Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Qin Shi Huang" states: "In the 28th year of Qin Shi Huang’s reign (219 BC), … he floated down the river to the Xiangshan Shrine." The "Brief Record of the Xiangjun Temple" by Li Misì, magistrate of Balin County during the Tang Dynasty, records: "In ancient times, people built a shrine to the Xiangjun on this mountain, which was later called Junshan. After the temple was destroyed by the First Emperor of Qin, it remained unbuilt for a long time." This shows that the Temple of the Xiang Consorts existed before the Qin Dynasty and was dedicated to the Xiang Consorts—two of Emperor Yu’s consorts. Legend has it that the two consorts were figures from the late primitive society in China (over 4,000 years ago), the two daughters of Emperor Yao. At that time, the hereditary system was based on abdication. Emperor Yao, recognizing Shun’s great talent, wanted to pass the throne to him. To test Shun over three years, he married his own daughters—Ehuang and Nüying—to him. With the help of Ehuang and Nüying, Shun successfully passed the probation period and succeeded Yao as emperor, becoming one of the most accomplished of the Five Emperors in ancient China. In recognition of the virtues of Shun’s two consorts, Liu Xiang of the Han Dynasty, in his "Biographies of Exemplary Women: Maternal Models," ranked them as the 102nd consorts. After their deaths, they became deities of the Xiang River, also known as the Marquis of Yuan De. To commemorate them, a shrine was built on Junshan Island. Historically, the Temple of the Xiang Consorts was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The current structure was reconstructed in 1986, featuring a three-courtyard design with an area of 1,003.8 square meters. In front of the temple stands the "Fragrance of Virtue Far and Near" memorial archway. The first courtyard houses a couplet inscribed by Zhang Zhidong, Viceroy of Liangjiang during the Qing Dynasty, stretching 400 characters in length. The second courtyard features two warrior statues on either side, with a hanging calligraphy piece by Li Duo, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, featuring a poem by Li Bai: “Gazing west to Dongting, the Chu River parts; / The waters end, no clouds are seen in southern skies; / Sunset over Changsha, autumn hues stretch far; / I know not where to mourn the Xiang Sovereign.” The third courtyard enshrines standing statues of the Xiang Consorts. The temple is filled with incense smoke, exuding a solemn and reverent atmosphere.

Ehuang, also known as Ehuang, Nihuang, Houyu, Ehuan, or Eying, of the Yiqi clan, is a figure in ancient Han Chinese mythology and the wife of Emperor Shun. She was the eldest daughter of Emperor Yao, tribal chief Yi Qi Fangxun, and, along with her younger sister Nüying, married Yu Shun, also known as Yao Chonghua. Ehuang had no children. Shun’s father was stubborn, his mother was overbearing, and his younger brother was vicious, and they tried multiple times to kill Shun, but he was saved by the help of Ehuang and Nüying. Later, Emperor Shun died during his southern inspection tour to Cangwu. The two consorts traveled a thousand li to find him, learned of his death, and wept bitterly while embracing bamboo trees, which then developed speckled marks. They died after crying until their tears ran dry, and thus the bamboo came to be called “Xiaoxiang Bamboo” or “Xiang Consort Bamboo.”

Ehuang, one of Emperor Shun’s two consorts over 4,000 years ago (Ehuang, … More details about Ehuang++

Nüying: An ancient Chinese figure, of the Huaxia ethnicity, granddaughter of Emperor Ku, second daughter of Emperor Yao, and wife of Emperor Shun.

Born on Mount Yiqi (now Shunping, Baoding, Hebei), she was of the Yiqi clan, granddaughter of Emperor Ku—one of the Five Emperors—and daughter of Emperor Yao, Yiqi Fangxun. Together with her elder sister Ehuang, she married Yu Shun, also known as Yao Chonghua. Shun’s father was stubborn, his mother was overbearing, and his younger brother was vicious, and they tried multiple times to kill Shun, but he was saved by the help of Ehuang and Nüying. Later, Emperor Shun died during his southern inspection tour to Cangwu. The two consorts traveled a thousand li to find him, learned of his death, and wept bitterly while embracing bamboo trees, which then developed speckled marks. They died after crying until their tears ran dry, and thus the bamboo came to be called “Xiaoxiang Bamboo” or “Xiang Consort Bamboo.”

… More details about Nüying++

Emperor Shun, of the Yao clan, was said to have double pupils in his eyes, hence named “Chonghua,” and was also known as the Youyu clan, hence called Yu Shun. After his death, he abdicated the throne to Yu.

Legend has it that after the Yellow Emperor, there were three highly renowned leaders of tribal confederations: Yao (yao2), Shun (shun4), and Yu (yu3). They were originally chiefs of their own tribes before being elected as leaders of the tribal confederation. In those days, when leading the tribal confederation, any major decisions required consultation with the leaders of other tribes. As Yao grew old, he wanted to find someone to succeed him. Once, … More details about Yu Shun++