Shou Qiu
Encyclopedia
Shou 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. The western stele is known as the "Qing Shou" Stele ; the eastern stele as the "Wan Ren Chou" Stele , supposedly because it took so many people to move it. The site's memorial to the Yellow Emperor was built in 1012 CE, during the Xuanhe era of the Huizong Emperor of the Song Dynasty
. The steles were also carved on site during the time, but were left lying on the ground unfinished, because the Song Dynasty lost control of the area to the invading Jurchens
. After suffering further damage during the Cultural Revolution, the steles were restored in 1992. Missing fragments that could not be located had to be replaced; some say that this resulted in some changes of the giant tortoises
' appearance: according to a knowledgeable local guide, "the older claws were sharper and showed more strength. The newer replicas are flabby and lack character."
With more than 16 metres (52.5 ft) in height, the steles are among the tallest in China. The "Wan Ren Chou" Stele, which (including the turtle base and the dragon crown) is 16.95 m tall, 3.75 m wide, 1.14 m thick, and weighs 250 tons, is often said to be the largest blank stele in China.
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. According to the legend, Shou Qiu is the birthplace of 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...
.
The site features two giant turtle-borne
Bixi (tortoise)
Bixi , also called guifu or baxia , is a stone tortoise, used as a pedestal for a stele or tablet. Tortoise-mounted stelae have been traditionally used in the funerary complexes of Chinese emperors and other dignitaries. Later, they have also been used to commemorate an important event, such as...
steles with a small lake between them. The western stele is known as the "Qing Shou" Stele ; the eastern stele as the "Wan Ren Chou" Stele , supposedly because it took so many people to move it. The site's memorial to the Yellow Emperor was built in 1012 CE, during the Xuanhe era of the Huizong Emperor 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...
. The steles were also carved on site during the time, but were left lying on the ground unfinished, because the Song Dynasty lost control of the area to the invading Jurchens
Jurchens
The Jurchens were a Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century, when they adopted the name Manchu...
. After suffering further damage during the Cultural Revolution, the steles were restored in 1992. Missing fragments that could not be located had to be replaced; some say that this resulted in some changes of the giant tortoises
Bixi (tortoise)
Bixi , also called guifu or baxia , is a stone tortoise, used as a pedestal for a stele or tablet. Tortoise-mounted stelae have been traditionally used in the funerary complexes of Chinese emperors and other dignitaries. Later, they have also been used to commemorate an important event, such as...
' appearance: according to a knowledgeable local guide, "the older claws were sharper and showed more strength. The newer replicas are flabby and lack character."
With more than 16 metres (52.5 ft) in height, the steles are among the tallest in China. The "Wan Ren Chou" Stele, which (including the turtle base and the dragon crown) is 16.95 m tall, 3.75 m wide, 1.14 m thick, and weighs 250 tons, is often said to be the largest blank stele in China.
See also
- Shaohao TombShaohao TombThe 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 and one of the mythical five emperors himself...
, nearby site (just 100 m to the north), traditionally believed to be the burial site of the Yellow Emperor's son - Mausoleum of the Yellow EmperorMausoleum of the Yellow EmperorThe Mausoleum of Yellow Emperor is the burial site of the Chinese legendary Yellow Emperor, located in Huangling County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, China. According to legend, the Yellow Emperor attained immortality and was taken up to heaven, leaving behind only his clothing and cap to be...
, in Yan'anYan'anYan'an , is a prefecture-level city in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province in China, administering several counties, including Zhidan County , which served as the Chinese communist capital before the city of Yan'an proper took that role....
, ShaanxiShaanxi' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...