The Ming Xiaoling () is the
mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be consid ...
of the
Hongwu Emperor
The Hongwu Emperor (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), personal name Zhu Yuanzhang (), courtesy name Guorui (), was the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty of China, reigning from 1368 to 1398.
As famine, plagues and peasant revolts in ...
, the founder of the
Ming dynasty
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...
. It lies at the southern foot of
Purple Mountain Purple Mountain may refer to:
China
* Purple Mountain (Nanjing), a mountain in Nanjing, Jiangsu
Ireland
* Purple Mountain (Kerry), a mountain in County Kerry
United States
* Purple Mountain (Alaska), a mountain in Alaska
* Purple Peak (Col ...
, located east of the historical centre of
Nanjing
Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and the second largest city in the East China region. T ...
. Legend says that in order to prevent robbery of the tomb, 13 identical processions of funeral troops started from 13
city gates
A city gate is a gate which is, or was, set within a city wall. It is a type of fortified gateway.
Uses
City gates were traditionally built to provide a point of controlled access to and departure from a walled city for people, vehicles, goods ...
to obscure the real burying site.
[ Asian Historical Architecture]
The construction of the
mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be consid ...
began during the
Hongwu Emperor
The Hongwu Emperor (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), personal name Zhu Yuanzhang (), courtesy name Guorui (), was the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty of China, reigning from 1368 to 1398.
As famine, plagues and peasant revolts in ...
's life in and ended in , during the reign of his son the
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor (; pronounced ; 2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424), personal name Zhu Di (), was the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 1424.
Zhu Di was the fourth son of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dyn ...
, with a huge expenditure of resources involving 100,000 labourers. The original wall of the mausoleum was more than 22.5 kilometres long. The mausoleum was built under heavy guard of 5,000 troops.
Layout and monuments
Great golden gate and Square city
Da Jin Men and Sifangcheng. One enters the site through the monumental Great Golden Gates (''Da Jin Men''), and is soon faced by a giant stone tortoise (''
bixi
Bixi, or Bi Xi (), is a figure from Chinese mythology. One of the 9 sons of the Dragon King, he is depicted as a dragon with the shell of a turtle. Stone sculptures of Bixi have been used in Chinese culture for centuries as a decorative plinth ...
''), which resides in the ''Sifangcheng'' ("Square city") pavilion. The tortoise supports a splendid carved stone
stele
A stele ( ),Anglicized plural steles ( ); Greek plural stelai ( ), from Greek , ''stēlē''. The Greek plural is written , ''stēlai'', but this is only rarely encountered in English. or occasionally stela (plural ''stelas'' or ''stelæ''), whe ...
, crowned by intertwining
hornless dragons. The well-preserved stele is known as the "''Shengong Shengde'' Stele" (), i.e., literally, "The Stele of Godly Merit and Saintly Virtue". The inscription of the stele, extolling the merits and virtues of the
Hongwu Emperor
The Hongwu Emperor (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), personal name Zhu Yuanzhang (), courtesy name Guorui (), was the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty of China, reigning from 1368 to 1398.
As famine, plagues and peasant revolts in ...
was written by his fourth son, the
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor (; pronounced ; 2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424), personal name Zhu Di (), was the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 1424.
Zhu Di was the fourth son of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dyn ...
. The tortoise is 5.15 m long, 2.54 m wide and 2.8 m tall,
the stele stands 8.78 m tall (including the tortoise)
[明孝陵景区]
(MIng Xiaoling Scenic Area); at the Nanjing city Government site. and is one of the best-known examples of its genre.
It is thought that originally the Yongle Emperor planned to install a much bigger stele here. The work on making it was started in the
Yangshan Quarry
The Yangshan Quarry () is an ancient stone quarry near Nanjing, China. Used during many centuries as a source of stone for buildings and monuments of Nanjing, it is preserved as a historic site. The quarry is famous for the gigantic unfinished ste ...
(some 10 km east of the mausoleum) in 1405, but the unfinished stele was abandoned in the quarry, as it was realized that it would not be possible to move it.
Unlike the
similar pavilion at the
Ming Tombs
The Ming tombs are a collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming dynasty
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led ...
near Beijing, Nanjing's ''Sifangcheng'' does not have its roof anymore, as it was destroyed during the
Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion, also known as the Taiping Civil War or the Taiping Revolution, was a massive rebellion and civil war that was waged in China between the Manchu-led Qing dynasty and the Han, Hakka-led Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. It lasted fr ...
. Recently, Chinese engineers have conducted research in regard to the possibility of restoring the roof.
The Sacred Way
The Sacred Way is an 1800-metre-long road at the Nanjing city Government site. The winding
Sacred Way
The Sacred Way ( grc, Ἱερὰ Ὁδός, ''Hierá Hodós''), in ancient Greece, was the road from Athens to Eleusis. It was so called because it was the route taken by a procession celebrating the Eleusinian Mysteries. The procession to Eleus ...
(''Shendao'') starts near the Sifangcheng pavilion. It includes several sections: the Elephant Road and the ''Wengzhong'' Road. The Elephant Road is lined by 12 pairs of 6 kinds of animals (
lions
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult ...
, ''
xiezhi
The ''xiezhi'' () is a mythical ancient creature of Chinese origin impact to throughout East Asian legends. It resembles an ox or goat, with thick dark fur covering its body, bright eyes, and a single long horn on its forehead. It has great intel ...
'', camels, elephants,
''
qilin
The qilin (; ) is a legendary hooved chimerical creature that appears in Chinese mythology, and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler. Qilin are a specific type of the mythological family of on ...
'', and horses), guarding the tomb. Beyond them is a column called ''
huabiao
Huabiao () is a type of ceremonial column used in traditional Chinese architecture. ''Huabiao'' are traditionally erected in pairs in front of palaces and tombs. The prominence of their placement have made them one of the emblems of traditional ...
'' in Chinese. One then continues along the Wengzhong Road. Four pairs of ministers and generals (or warrior guardian figures, ''wengzhong'') of stone have been standing there for centuries to guard the journey to the after life.
Lingxing Gate
The Lingxing Gate, a ''
pailou Pailou may refer to:
*Paifang, a traditional Chinese architectural form like an archway Towns
* Pailou, Chizhou, in Guichi District, Chizhou, Anhui
* Pailou, Jingmen, in Dongbao District, Jingmen, Hubei
*Pailou, Haicheng, Liaoning
Townships
* P ...
'' at the end of the Wengzhong Road was destroyed long ago, but rebuilt in 2006.
The central area
One enters the central area of the mausoleum complex through the ''Wen Wu Fang Men'' (The Gate of the Civil and the Military).
On an inscribed stone tablet outside of the gate is an official notification of the local government in the
Qing dynasty
The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...
(1644–1911) is ordered to protect the tomb. Inside the gate, there the Tablet Hall (''Bei Dian'') in which 5 steles stand. The one in the middle, also mounted on a
stone tortoise, is inscribed with 4 Chinese characters, "治隆唐宋", which were written by the Qing dynasty's
Kangxi Emperor
The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 1654– 20 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, born Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1661 to 1 ...
on his third inspection tour of the South in 1699. The text is interpreted as alluding to the greatness of the Ming dynasty founder Zhu Yuanzhang, matching (or surpassing) that of the founders of the
Tang
Tang or TANG most often refers to:
* Tang dynasty
* Tang (drink mix)
Tang or TANG may also refer to:
Chinese states and dynasties
* Jin (Chinese state) (11th century – 376 BC), a state during the Spring and Autumn period, called Tang (唐) b ...
and
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetitio ...
Dynasties of old.
[明孝陵两大“碑石之谜”被破解]
(Solving the two great riddles of the Ming Xiaoling's stone tablets). ''People's Daily'', 2003-06-13. Quote regarding the Kangxi's stele text and its meaning: "清朝皇帝躬祀明朝皇帝 ... 御书“治隆唐宋”(意思是赞扬朱元璋的功绩超过了唐太宗李世民、宋高祖赵匡胤)"; regarding the dimensions of the stele and its tortoise "康熙御碑孝陵碑殿中部主碑,是清康熙三十八年(1699年)由康熙皇帝爱新觉罗·玄烨所立,高3.85米,宽1.42米,上阴刻楷书“治隆唐宋”4字,字径0.68米,碑座为石制龟趺,高1.06米。"Photo and description of the Kangxi's stele
The inscription is interpreted as "His reign was as glorious as that of the Tang and Song"]
Behind the pavilion, there used to be other annexes; however most of them have collapsed into relics from which the original splendor can still be traced. The emperor and his queen were buried in a clay tumulus
A tumulus (plural tumuli) is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds or ''kurgans'', and may be found throughout much of the world. A cairn, which is a mound of stones buil ...
, 400 metres in diameter, known as the Lone Dragon Hill (''Du Long Fu''). A stone wall with a terrace on top, known as ''Ming Lou'' (Ming Mansion) or the Soul Tower is half-embedded into the front face of the tumulus. On a stone wall surrounding the vault, 7 Chinese characters were inscribed, identifying the mausoleum of Emperor Ming Taizu (respected title of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang
The Hongwu Emperor (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), personal name Zhu Yuanzhang (), courtesy name Guorui (), was the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty of China, reigning from 1368 to 1398.
As famine, plagues and peasant revolts in ...
).
The mountain to the south of the tomb, known as Meihua Shan ("Plum Flower Mountain"), is the mausoleum of Sun Quan
Sun Quan (, Chinese: 孫權) (183 – 21 May 252), courtesy name Zhongmou (), posthumously known as Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of the Eastern Wu dynasty, one of the Three Kingdoms of China. He inherited control of the warlord regime es ...
, King of the Kingdom of Wu in the Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms () from 220 to 280 AD was the tripartite division of China among the dynastic states of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu. The Three Kingdoms period was preceded by the Han dynasty#Eastern Han, Eastern Han dynasty and wa ...
period (220-265). The existence of this tomb is the reason why the Sacred Way is not straight.
Later history
The mausoleum complex suffered damage during the mid-19th century Taiping Civil War, but was restored during the Tongzhi era thereafter.
Along with the Ming Tombs
The Ming tombs are a collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming dynasty
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led ...
north of Beijing
}
Beijing ( ; ; ), alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city, with over 21 ...
, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum of Nanjing was inscribed by UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
as part of the World Heritage Sites
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNES ...
"Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties () is the designation under which the UNESCO has included several tombs and burial complexes into the list of World Heritage Sites. These tombs date from the Ming and Qing dynasties of China.
Tombs w ...
".
Gallery
File:Ming Xiaoling - entry - P1060376.JPG, ''Da Jin Men'' (The Great Golden Gates), the main entrance to the site
File:Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Spirit Way.jpg, "Elephant Road" (or Spirit Way
A spirit way () is the ornate road leading to a Chinese tomb of a major dignitary.
The term is also sometimes translated as spirit road, spirit path or sacred way.
The spirit way is lined on both sides by a succession of statues, pillars, and ...
)
File:Sifangcheng bixi - left - P1060401.JPG, The ''Sifangcheng'' ("Square City") pavilion
File:MingXiaoling Animal Lion01.jpg, A stone lion on the Spirit Way
File:Stone Elephant Road - xiezhi - P1060445.JPG, A ''xiezhi
The ''xiezhi'' () is a mythical ancient creature of Chinese origin impact to throughout East Asian legends. It resembles an ox or goat, with thick dark fur covering its body, bright eyes, and a single long horn on its forehead. It has great intel ...
'' on the "Elephant Road"
File:Stone Elephant Road - camels - P1060452.JPG, Camels along the "Elephant Road"
File:Stone Elephant Road - elephants - P1060469.JPG, Elephants along the "Elephant Road"
File:Stone Elephant Road - qilin - P1060473.JPG, ''Qilin
The qilin (; ) is a legendary hooved chimerical creature that appears in Chinese mythology, and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler. Qilin are a specific type of the mythological family of on ...
'' along the "Elephant Road"
File:MingXiaoling_Animal_Horse_01.jpg, Horses along the "Elephant Road"
File:MingXiaoling WuJiang.jpg, Statue of a military official on the Spirit Way
File:Wengzhong Road - civil - P1060489.JPG, A civil official on the "Wengzhong Road"
File:Lingxing Gate - P1060494.JPG, Lingxing Gate at the end of the "Wengzhong Road"
File:Wen Wu Fangmen, Ming Xiaoling.jpg, The ''Wenwu Fangmen'' gate
File:Ming Xiaoling - Kangxi's turtle - left - P1060508.JPG, The Tablet Hall, with the tortoise left behind by the Kangxi Emperor
File:Xiaoling Hall - inside - P1060528.JPG, Inside the ''Ting Dian'' ("Pavilion Hall"), which replaces the old Xiaoling Hall
File:Ming Xiaoling - Nei Hong Men - P1060529.JPG, ''Nei Hong Men'' (The Inner Red Gate)
File:Ming Xiaoling - Ming Lou - Soul Tower - P1060545.JPG, The Soul Tower on top of the ''Ming Lou''
File:Ming Xiaoling - Ming Lou - view from the terrace - P1060541.JPG, The wall surrounding the top of the Lone Dragon Hill, seen from the Soul Tower
File:Ming Temples Nanjing Plum Blossom Festival.jpg, The annual plum blossom festival is located on Plum Blossom Hill
File: Ming Xiaoling (Emperor Hongwu Tomb) (10150994034).jpg , The Shenbo Stove ("The Silk Burner")
The mystery of the third tortoise
In 1999, another, unfinished, stone tortoise and an unfinished stele lying on the ground were discovered in a ravine just over 100 m to the southeast from the Sifangcheng Pavilion, and even closer to Madame Chiang Kai-Shek's former villa (known as Meiling Gong). The tortoise, larger than those under the Shengde stele and the Kangxi Emperor's steles, and the matching blank stele were recognized by experts as being products of the early Ming
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...
, but the reasons for their manufacture and abandonment became subjects for speculation among historians. A number of possible explanations - from faulty material to the overthrow of the Jianwen Emperor
The Jianwen Emperor (5 December 1377 – ?), personal name Zhu Yunwen (), was the second Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigned from 1398 to 1402. The era name of his reign, Jianwen, means "establishing civility" and represented a sharp chan ...
by the Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor (; pronounced ; 2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424), personal name Zhu Di (), was the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 1424.
Zhu Di was the fourth son of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dyn ...
in 1402 - have been advanced.
In the meantime, the tortoise and the blank stele () have been moved to the Red Chamber Culture Park (红楼艺文苑, Honglou Yiwen Yuan), located just east of the Ming Xiaoling complex.[ The park (which otherwise is a modern Dream-of-the-Red-Chamber-themed landscape and sculpture park) can be visited on the same ticket with the Ming Xiaoling proper.
]
Notes and references
Bibliography
* (Asian Historical Architecture - a Photographic Survey) - includes detailed site map and photos. One of their main sources is: Barry Till, with assistance of Paula Swart. ''In Search of Old Nanking''. Joint Pub. Co. (Hong Kong Branch). 1982. Hong Kong
*
External links
Virtual Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty
- VRML
VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language, pronounced ''vermal'' or by its initials, originally—before 1995—known as the Virtual Reality Markup Language) is a standard file format for representing 3-dimensional (3D) interactive vector graphi ...
modeling of some artifacts
{{Portal bar, China, History, Asia
Cemeteries in Nanjing
Xiaoling
Buildings and structures in Nanjing
Mausoleums in China
Ming dynasty architecture
Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in Jiangsu
Tourist attractions in Nanjing
World Heritage Sites in China