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The Expert told about architecture of Yuan-Shuai Temple
Mr. Chu-Hua Sun spoke of Architecture of Yuan-Shuai Temple
We and Mr. Sun originally sat on the ladder; suddenly, she stood up and asked us to visit a stele inlaid in a wall. She told us: "There is a very important stele erected in Cing Dynasty, the stele reveals the important position of the temple, you must have a look!" So we followed Mr. Sun into the temple.
The writer is Shih-Sin Jheng
Interview
"This is a famous centenary Stele!"
Yuan-Shuai Temple was lively in Cing Dynasty, so the county magistrate set up the stele for managing beggars.
The carving describes a Chinese loyal story.
Have you found what special these Gatepost Couplets are?
Ancient people connected the temple's name with couplets.
Q:Mr. Sun, can you tell us the story of this Stele?
A¡G The stele was originally placed on the front yard of the temple, and then was inlaid into the wall after temple's renovation.
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This stele had existed for a long time, it probably was erected in 1848A.D. In Cing dynasty, Youchang area was a lively town as our Kaohsjung railway station at present, there were fairs, shops and crowds, so beggars came in soon. At first the beggars just begged food; later beggars robbed and extorted residents. Residents could not abide such barbarities anymore, they asked county magistrate for help. Therefore, the magistrate set this stele and named it "Yan-Jin-Wu-Gai-Ciang-Suo-Heng-Sing( forbid evil beggar to blackmail residents)". Look! The stele stipulates how much beggar can get from resident.
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Q:Mr.Sun, can you tell us what is the architectural feature of Yuan-Shuai Temple?
A¡G Oh, there are a pair of stone lions with interesting feature.(Next, Mr. Sun guides us to the front yard.) Look! The stone lion which hold a ball in its mouth is male lion; the stone lion which always accompanies a baby lion is female. The male lion is on the left; the female is on the right!
The reconstructed Yuan-Shuai Temple was completed in 1948A.D. Although it is a relatively new temple, the designer made great efforts to keep the traditional temple architecture. The pottery on the roof and the carvings on the wall are some of highlights of this temple that visitors should not miss.
Furthermore, the traditional Chinese building pays attention to Feng-Shui(the location of a person's house and (or) ancestral grave, supposed to have an influence on the fortune of a family and his offsprings), Yuan-Shuai Temple is no exception. The layout of the temple stresses on 'symmetry'. If there are wing-rooms on the left of building, then there are wing-rooms on the right too. In front of the temple will has an open space as playground.
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Q:what part of the temple's architecture impress you most?
A¡G My answer is its 'Gatepost Couplet'. These Gatepost Couplets have recorded a lot of things about Jheng Cheng-gong's army, and the words written on the couplets are very delicate. Have you found what special these Gatepost Couplets are? (Mr. Sun is pointing one gatepost) (Someone answer suddenly: "All of them begin with 'Yuan', 'Shuai' two words." ) You are right! You are very clever. Ancient people are wise, not only did they connect the temple's name, but they also expressed the military deed with couplets.
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