Tomb Shrines and Stone Carvings of Gao Yi

Tomb Shrines and Stone Carvings of Gao Yi

The Tomb Shrines and Stone Carvings of Gao Yi are Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Introduction to the Gao Yi Shrine in Ya’an

The tomb shrines of Gao Yi, the Governor of Yizhou during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and his younger brother Gao Shi. They are the most intact and exquisitely preserved stone shrines in Sichuan, and are classified as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level. Located in Hanyi Village, Yaoqiao Town, Ya’an City.

Gao Yi Shrine: gaoyique

Located in the new urban development area of Ya’an City, at the exit of Jinqiguan on the Chengdu–Ya’an Expressway, and also the site of the Ya’an Han Shrine Museum. Han shrines are a unique architectural structure from ancient China, serving as decorative, dignified edifices erected in front of palaces, temples, and tombs during the Han Dynasty. Each shrine consists of a main shrine and a subordinate shrine, typically comprising three parts: the base, the body, and the roof. They represent not only an ancient form of architectural art but also a special category of stone carving treasures, providing important physical evidence for the study of the history, culture, architecture, sculpture, and art of that period. During the Han era, officials who earned an annual salary of 2,000 dan or more were entitled to have shrines erected in front of their tombs, symbolizing status and prestige. Thus, Han shrine culture forms an important part of the broader culture of the Han Dynasty. After a thousand years of vicissitudes, wooden city gates and palace gates have all perished, but some stone shrines located beside ancestral temples, memorial halls, and along the spirit ways of tombs have survived, though very few remain. Nevertheless, they have provided us with invaluable historical materials. In particular, the Gao Yi Shrines in Ya’an are among the best-preserved Han shrines in China, featuring the most exquisite carvings. They hold considerable historical and cultural value. Renowned architects such as Liang Sicheng, historians like Fan Wenlan, and aestheticians such as Wang Chaowen have all spoken highly of and affirmed the significance of the Gao Yi Shrines in their academic writings.

Gao Yi, styled Guanfang, once served as Governor of Yizhou, among other positions. Due to his outstanding political achievements, after his death, the Han emperor ordered the construction of the shrine to commemorate his merits. The Gao Yi Shrine was built in the 14th year of the Jian’an era of Emperor Xian of Han (209 AD). The main shrine has 13 tiers, stands approximately 6 meters tall, is 1.6 meters wide, and 0.9 meters thick; the subordinate shrine has 7 tiers, is 3.39 meters tall, 1.1 meters wide, and 0.5 meters thick. The shrine is constructed from red sandstone and quartzite, with the rooftop imitating the wooden structure of Han-era architecture, featuring corner columns and bracket sets. The relief carvings are rich in imagination and deep in meaning; the body of the shrine depicts a procession of three carts, with attendants, horse-mounted musicians, and horse-driven officials shown in front. Above this are five tiers: the first tier features carved reliefs of a taotie on both the southern and northern sides, with horned deities sculpted under each corner bracket; the second tier includes historical stories such as “Zhang Liang Assassinating the First Qin Emperor,” “Emperor Gaozu Slaying a Snake,” “Shi Kuang Playing the Zither,” as well as mythical creatures like the nine-tailed fox and the three-legged bird; the third tier depicts scenes of humans battling beasts; the fourth tier tilts outward, with reliefs of “heavenly horses,” “dragons,” and “tigers”; the fifth tier is carved with 24 bracket arms on all four sides and bears clerical script inscriptions reading: “Han-era Former Governor of Yizhou, Commandant of Yinping, Magistrate of Wuyang, Assistant of Beifu, and Filial and Incorrupt Gao Jun, styled Guan□(Fang),” with a kunpeng (mythical bird) carved at the center ridge.

In front of the shrine stand two stone beasts, one male and one female, known as “Tianlu” (heavenly deer) and “Pixie” (evil-dispelling beast). They resemble lions yet are not, tigers yet are not, with wings on their shoulders, heads held high, mouths open, and tongues out—majestic and powerful, representing fine examples of Eastern Han stone carvings.

The Gao Yi Shrine is the only complete set of Han Dynasty funeral structures in China to preserve a stele, shrine, tomb, spirit way, and stone beasts. The body of the shrine itself is the most intact, exquisitely carved, and richest in content among such ancient relics in China.

Protective boundary: Using the western shrine of Gao Yi as the center point, the eastern limit extends 56 meters, the southern limit 62 meters, the western limit 43 meters to the edge of farmland, and the northern limit 206 meters to an irrigation channel. The site spans 99 meters east-west and 268 meters north-south.

Construction control zone: Using the western shrine of Gao Yi as the center point, the eastern limit extends 136 meters to a planned road, the southern limit 204 meters to an irrigation channel, the western limit 201 meters to the edge of paddy fields, and the northern limit 441 meters to an irrigation channel. The zone spans 450 meters east-west and 645 meters north-south.

Gao Yi (d. 209), from present-day Yucheng District, Ya’an. Styled Guanguang, he and his younger brother Shi were both recommended as filial and incorrupt officials in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He successively held positions such as Assistant of Beifu, Magistrate of Wuyang, Commandant of Yinping, and Governor of Yizhou.

The Qing-era “Ya Prefecture Annals” lists both Gao Yi and his brother in the sections on “Officials’ Deeds” and “Local Worthies.” The “History of Ya’an” records: “The two stone shrines of Gao Jun were erected during the Jian’an era, and the tomb of his brother Shi’s son, Zhi, is also located there.”

According to records of the Shrine of Gao Jun, the stele and tomb are both located in present-day Yaoqiao Township, Yucheng District (formerly known as Xiaolian Township), confirming that he was a native of Hanjia Commandery (present-day Ya’an) during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Excavated inscriptions describe him as “befriending the virtuous and delighting in kindness,” and “following the example of Xiao...” More detailed information on Gao Yi ++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level