Mount Ni
Encyclopedia
Mount Ni is a hill about 30 km to the southeast of the city of Qufu
in Shandong
Province, China. The hill is culturally significant because it is traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Confucius
. It is also the site of a historical temple dedicated to Shu Lianghe, the father of Confucius, a Confucian academy , and the Yusheng Memorial Temple .
According to the Han-Dynasty historian Sima Qian
, Confucius parents to be, Shu Lianghe and Yan Zheng, went to pray at Mount Ni and Yan Zheng gave birth to Confucius afterwards.
The existence of the Temple of Shu Lianghe can be traced back to the times of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–535 CE). However, the temple was abandoned and restored repeatedly during the Later Tang, Later Zhou, Song, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties. A major reconstruction was undertaken during the Ming Dynasty
(in 1417, the 15th year of the rule of the emperor Yongle
). Further expansion of the temple followed during the Qing Dynasty
. As a result, most of the extent structures of the temple date from either the Ming or the Qing era. The current architectural complex contains three sets of buildings, the Shu Lianghe Temple, the Confucian Academy, and the Yusheng Memorial Temple.
The Shu Lianghe Temple consists of the following halls: the Dacheng Hall (literally "Hall of Great Achievement") dedicated to Confucius, a "Sleeping Palace" dedicated to his wife Qiguan, the Hall of Qi Shengwang and the Sleeping Palace of Qi Shengwang. The Yusheng Memorial Temple is dedicated to mountain spirit of Mount Ni. The Confucian academy contains a lecture hall as well as rooms that were used by the temple management staff. Other structures in the academy include the Erdai and Sandai Halls, the Liang Wu, the Lingxing Gate (灵星门), the Shen Bao, the Tudi Temple (dedicated to the local god of the land
), and the Guan Chuan Pavilion. The entire complex on Mount Ni is walled in.
Outside the eastern enclosure wall lies the Confucius Cave . According to the legend, Confucius was abandoned in this cave after birth by his mother because of his ugliness. The baby was then taken care of by a tiger and an eagle, which convinced his mother to take him back.
Qufu
Qufu is a city in southwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It is located at 35° 36′ northern latitude and 117° 02′ east, about south of the provincial capital Jinan and northeast of the prefecture seat at Jining...
in Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
Province, China. The hill is culturally significant because it is traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
. It is also the site of a historical temple dedicated to Shu Lianghe, the father of Confucius, a Confucian academy , and the Yusheng Memorial Temple .
According to the Han-Dynasty historian Sima Qian
Sima Qian
Sima Qian was a Prefect of the Grand Scribes of the Han Dynasty. He is regarded as the father of Chinese historiography for his highly praised work, Records of the Grand Historian , a "Jizhuanti"-style general history of China, covering more than two thousand years from the Yellow Emperor to...
, Confucius parents to be, Shu Lianghe and Yan Zheng, went to pray at Mount Ni and Yan Zheng gave birth to Confucius afterwards.
The existence of the Temple of Shu Lianghe can be traced back to the times of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–535 CE). However, the temple was abandoned and restored repeatedly during the Later Tang, Later Zhou, Song, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties. A major reconstruction was undertaken during the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
(in 1417, the 15th year of the rule of the emperor Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
). Further expansion of the temple followed during the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. As a result, most of the extent structures of the temple date from either the Ming or the Qing era. The current architectural complex contains three sets of buildings, the Shu Lianghe Temple, the Confucian Academy, and the Yusheng Memorial Temple.
The Shu Lianghe Temple consists of the following halls: the Dacheng Hall (literally "Hall of Great Achievement") dedicated to Confucius, a "Sleeping Palace" dedicated to his wife Qiguan, the Hall of Qi Shengwang and the Sleeping Palace of Qi Shengwang. The Yusheng Memorial Temple is dedicated to mountain spirit of Mount Ni. The Confucian academy contains a lecture hall as well as rooms that were used by the temple management staff. Other structures in the academy include the Erdai and Sandai Halls, the Liang Wu, the Lingxing Gate (灵星门), the Shen Bao, the Tudi Temple (dedicated to the local god of the land
Tu Di Gong
Tu Di Gong , also known as Tu Di , Tu Gong , and Dabo Gong , is a Chinese earth god worshipped by Chinese folk religion worshippers and Taoists. A formal name for Tu Di Gong is , meaning the earth god of wealth and merit....
), and the Guan Chuan Pavilion. The entire complex on Mount Ni is walled in.
Outside the eastern enclosure wall lies the Confucius Cave . According to the legend, Confucius was abandoned in this cave after birth by his mother because of his ugliness. The baby was then taken care of by a tiger and an eagle, which convinced his mother to take him back.