Dongzhou Wenchang Pavilion

Dongzhou Wenchang Pavilion

Dongzhou Wenchang Pavilion is a cultural relic protection unit of Xiangyuan County.

Dongzhou Wenchang Pavilion is located in the east of Dongzhou Village, Houpu Town, Xiangyuan County. It faces west, spans 100 meters from east to west, and 32 meters from north to south, covering an area of approximately 3,200 square meters. It is a hexagonal three-story brick pagoda in the form of a pavilion, standing about 11 meters tall. According to inscriptions on the stele, it was built in the 37th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1772), and was renovated in the 6th year of the Tongzhi reign (1867). The base is built of stone, with a hexagonal plan, 1.3 meters in height and 3.12 meters on each side. The body of the pavilion has three levels, each adorned with brick imitation wood brackets on the eaves, featuring three-curved single-upswept designs, and each corner is fitted with decorative animal ornaments. The front of the first level features a square door, along with a staircase leading up to the pavilion. The lintel above the door is inscribed with the characters “Wenchang Pavilion” (文昌阁); the south side is labeled “Water Embraces” (水环抱), and the north side “Hills Enshroud the Greenery” (山拱翠). The second level has a door on the front, topped with a brick plaque inscribed with “Kui Light” (奎光); windows are found on the adjacent sides. The third level has a door on the west side, while the other sides each have small hexagonal windows inlaid with the brick-carved phrase “Wenchang’s Radiance Pierces the Dipper and Ox” (文光射斗牛). The top features a hexagonal pyramidal roof crowned with a precious bead-style finial. In 1981, it was designated as a county-level cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Xiangyuan County.

The Wenchang Emperor is a deity revered in folk beliefs and Taoism as the god governing the literary achievements and official ranks of scholars. Wenchang originally refers to a star name, also known as the Wenchang Star or Literary Star, which in ancient times was believed to preside over literary fortune and scholarly success. Its deification into the Wenchang Emperor, worshipped by both folk tradition and Taoism, is associated with the Zitong deity Zhang Yazi. In the 2nd year of the Ningkang era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (374), a man from Shu named Zhang Yu declared himself the King of Shu and led a rebellion against Fu Jian of the Former Qin. He died a heroic death, and in his memory, people built the Temple of Zhang Yu on Qiqu Mountain in Zitong Commandery, venerating him as the Dragon God of Leize. At that time, there was another temple on Qiqu Mountain dedicated to the Zitong deity Yazi. As the two temples were adjacent, later generations combined the names of their deities and referred to them collectively as Zhang Yazi. When Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty passed through Qiqu Mountain on his way into Shu, he was moved by the heroic deeds of Zhang Yazi and posthumously honored him as Left Prime Minister, increasing the offerings and worship. Later, when Emperor Xizong of the Tang took refuge in Shu, he personally visited Qiqu Mountain to worship the Zitong deity, conferred the title of Prince Jishun upon Zhang Yazi, and even offered his own sword to the deity. Successive emperors of the Song Dynasty granted various imperial titles, such as Emperor Zhenzong bestowing the title of Heroic and Martial Prince of Brilliance (英显武烈王), Emperor Guangzong granting the title of Loyal, Literary, Benevolent, Martial, Filial, and Virtuous Saintly Prince (忠文仁武孝德圣烈王), and Emperor Lizong conferring the title of Divine, Literary, Martial, Filial, Virtuous, Loyal, and Benevolent Prince (神文圣武孝德忠仁王). In the 3rd year of the Yanxing era of Yuan Emperor Renzong (1316), Zhang Yazi was bestowed the title of Auxiliary Yuan, Enlightening, Wenchang, Managing Official Rank, Vast Benevolence Emperor (辅元开化文昌司禄宏仁帝君). From then on, the Zitong deity Zhang Yazi came to be known as the Wenchang Emperor.