Qufu Duke of Zhou Temple

　　   The Duke of Zhou Temple is situated in the northeast corner of Qufu City, approximately a kilometer from the Confucius Temple. It was built to honor the Western Zhou statesman, the Duke of Zhou. As ancient emperors once conferred upon him the title of “Sage of Sages,” it is also known as the Sage of Sages Temple.

　　   The temple has undergone six major renovations during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties to reach its current scale. Covering an area of 75 mu, it includes 57 halls, pavilions, gates, and archways, arranged across three courtyards. The temple is shaded by ancient trees and surrounded by pines and cypresses, creating a serene and solemn atmosphere. On either side of the Lingxing Gate stand stone memorial archways. The eastern archway is inscribed with “Orchestrating Heaven and Earth,” while the western one bears the plaque “Establishing Rites and Composing Music,” both paying tribute to the achievements of the Duke of Zhou.

　　   The Sage Hall is the central structure of the Duke of Zhou Temple. The main hall is five bays wide and three bays deep, with green-tiled, colorfully painted roofing. At the center of the hall stands a statue of the Duke of Zhou, crafted to imperial specifications. He is depicted sitting upright, holding a ceremonial tablet, wearing a crown adorned with jade pendants, and gazing intently with a solemn yet not rigid expression. On the thick pillars on either side hang couplets handwritten by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty:

　　   Through rites and deeds, the ancestral legacy spreads eternal fragrance

　　   From diagrams and symbols, the traditions of Nishan find their origin

　　   These couplets highlight the pioneering spirit of this outstanding Western Zhou statesman in “establishing rites and composing music.” Incidentally, the site of the ancient state of Lu is located where the Duke of Zhou Temple stands today. Therefore, in front of the temple there is a stone tablet inscribed with “Site of the Ancient State of Lu in Qufu,” which is a key cultural relic protection unit in China.