• "Zhejiang Cultural Imprints" is a series of introductory articles introducing some of the most influential cultural heritages and cultural imprints in Zhejiang province. Today's topic is the Nanzong Confucian Temple. 

(Nanzong Confucian Temple  )

The Nanzong Confucian Temple and Family Residence in Quzhou are located in New Bridge Street, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province, a key cultural relic under state protection. The present Nanzong Confucian Temple was constructed in accordance with the construction style of the Confucian Temple in Qufu (曲阜), Shandong Province. It was originally built in 1253 by the 48th descendants of Confucius. It is one of only two national Confucius family temples and it has been repaired and renovated many times in the later years. The Nanzong Confucian Temple was opened to the public as a museum in 1998 and surprised the world with its long history, magnificent scale, and well-preserved tradition and customs. Its main parts include the Tou Hall (头门), Dacheng Hall (大成殿), Siluge Pavilion (思鲁阁), Shenze building (圣泽楼).

Nanzong Confucian Temple plays a great role in the research of ancient architecture, construction, education system and the worship of Confucius, known as the "Holy Land of the Southern Confucian Clan" and "Dong Nan Que Li" (东南阙里, literally "the southeast residential place of Confucius"). The Nanzong Confucian Temple boasts two priceless treasures. The wood carvings of Confucius and his wife Qiguan (亓官夫人) were regarded as national treasures in the past dynasties. It was said that the wooden statues shrine in the main hall was carved by a disciple of Confucius- Zigong(子贡) featuring a strong pre-Han (206BC-220AD) Dynasty carving style. The other is “Xian sheng yi xiang bei (先圣遗像碑)，which was said to have been drawn by Wu Daozi (吴道子), a Chinese painting master in Tang Dynasty (686-760).

(Executive Editor: Ye Ke)