Qufu Shengshi Gate

　　　The second main gate of the Confucius Temple. Constructed in the 13th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1415 AD), it is a brick structure with a wooden roof, consisting of five bays and three arched gateways, along with two side chambers. The stone steps in front of and behind the gate are adorned with carved dragon reliefs, considered fine examples from the early Ming period. Originally named Xuan Sheng Gate, it underwent multiple expansions and renovations during the Qing Dynasty. In the 8th year of the Yongzheng reign (1730 AD), Emperor Yongzheng officially designated it as “Shengshi Gate,” with an inscribed plaque authored by Emperor Qianlong. The name “Shengshi” is derived from Mencius, which describes Confucius as “the sage most attuned to his times,” signifying that among all sages, Confucius was the one who best embodied the spirit of his era.