Shaohao Tomb
Encyclopedia
The Shaohao Tomb is a pyramid shaped monument located in the north-east of Jiuxian Village, on the eastern outskirts of the city of Qufu
in Shandong Province
, China. The monument honors Shaohao
, the son of the first mythical Chinese emperor (the Yellow Emperor
) and one of the mythical five emperors himself. The monument is unique in China because of its pyramid-shaped stone construction. It consists of a tomb mount that has been covered with stone slabs during the reign of the Song Dynasty
emperor Huizong in 1111 CE. The entire pyramid is 28.5 meters wide and 8.73 meters high. On its flat top stands a small pavilion that houses a statue of Shao Hao. The tomb stands inside a compound with many old trees, chiefly thujas planted on the orders of the emperor Qianlong, who visited the site in 1748.
The rather unusual design of this monument has long attracted visitors' notice. As Rev. A. Williamson, who visited the site in 1865, wrote:
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 Province
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...
, China. The monument honors Shaohao
Shaohao
Shaohao , also known as Shao Hao, Jin Tian or Xuanxiao, was a Chinese emperor in 2600 BC. According to some traditions , he was, in some versions, one of the Five Emperors....
, the son of the first mythical Chinese emperor (the Yellow Emperor
Yellow Emperor
The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC...
) and one of the mythical five emperors himself. The monument is unique in China because of its pyramid-shaped stone construction. It consists of a tomb mount that has been covered with stone slabs during the reign of the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
emperor Huizong in 1111 CE. The entire pyramid is 28.5 meters wide and 8.73 meters high. On its flat top stands a small pavilion that houses a statue of Shao Hao. The tomb stands inside a compound with many old trees, chiefly thujas planted on the orders of the emperor Qianlong, who visited the site in 1748.
The rather unusual design of this monument has long attracted visitors' notice. As Rev. A. Williamson, who visited the site in 1865, wrote:
See also
- Shou QiuShou QiuShou Qiu is a historical site on the eastern outskirts of the city of Qufu in Shandong Province, China. According to the legend, Shou Qiu is the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor.The site features two giant turtle-borne steles with a small lake between them...
, nearby site traditionally regarded as the birth place of the Yellow Emperor