Confucius said: Why is the instrument door closed? Confucius said: This door is not easy to open.

-Shigemitsu Gate

Confucius House, also known as the Duke's House of Feast, is the place where descendants of Confucius lived for a long time. The emperors of past dynasties kept sealing and repairing, and finally formed a typical building with official residence, which was known as "the best in the world".

"No.1 in the world"

Entering the second gate of Confucius House, a solitary gatehouse is located in the middle of the road, blocking the sight of tourists. This is the "Shiguang Gate", formerly known as the "Pearl Hanging Gate".

This gate was built in the 16th year of Hongzhi in Ming Dynasty (1503), with a height of 5.95m, a length of 6.24m and a width of 2.03m Lotus flowers are hung on the third floor with four pillars, three rooms, and the opening room is slightly higher. There is a bucket of two-liter cloud arches under the eaves, two rooms and one room. There are four inverted woodcarving lotus stands in front of and behind the beam structure.

Lotus is a symbol of incorruptibility and purity, which means that the banquet duke's house is noble, incorruptible and innocent. The four pillars in the middle stand on the drum-holding stone of Xumi Mountain and are supported by the tooth-holding plate. At the top of the column, a cloud arch is used to support the ridge purlin, and a long pad is used under the shoulder beam to replace the wood. The size of the cloud arch of the stigma is equal to that of the cloud arch of the Flat Family. The cloud arch has smooth lines and full image. The whole gate is well-proportioned and solemn, with obvious architectural style in the early Ming Dynasty, and it is a boutique of that period.

From the perspective of geomantic omen, it is related to the geomantic omen of the whole building and is the top priority of all Confucius' buildings.

According to legend, the plaque "Blessing with Light" hanging above the door was personally awarded by Emperor Jiaqing. Judging from the meaning of the word, it should be written by the Confucius family. If it was personally awarded by Emperor Jiajing, there would be no word "En". Shigemitsu means: "Peace and prosperity, when the sun is heavy, it is said that there is a heavy sun." Here, a new Confucius House is completed, as if Confucianism will shine brilliantly.

In feudal society, such a door was also called "plug the door". The general official residence just changed a wall and is not qualified to be established. Only the "monarch" knighted by the feudal emperor can enjoy this honor.

There is still a plug door.

customized

The "plug door" was customized as early as in Zhou Li, and the emperor and vassal states could build plug doors, otherwise it would be impolite and guilty of trespassing. During the Spring and Autumn Period, doctor Ji of Lu once set up a "Simon" in his home and danced with Bashu in the court. Therefore, Confucius thought it was a big violation of the Tao, so he flew into a rage and said, "I can tolerate it, but I can't tolerate it!" "

Why is the instrument door closed tightly?

Chongguang Gate is the highest regulation of all buildings in Confucius. Only when a ceremony is held in Confucius' Mansion, the emperor is auspicious, the imperial edict is read out, and a major sacrificial ceremony is held, will this door slowly open in the thirteen-gun salute, so it is also called the "instrument door".

Previously, when the emperor entered from the central gate of Shigemitsu Gate, the accompanying ministers of civil and military affairs could only enter from the side doors on both sides, with civil servants on the left and military attache on the right. From Kong Zongyuan, the grandson of the 46th generation of Confucius, to Kong Decheng, the last generation of "Duke of Feast", this title lasted for 32 generations, and 32 "saints" came in and out of this gate in more than 880 years. So, this is really the door of a saint.

Since modern times, the door of the important national leaders at home and abroad has been open, but it is still closed and strict on weekdays.

Some pictures come from the internet. If there is any infringement, please contact me to delete it.

Source: Qufu Sankong Scenic Area

Confucius (76) Confucius House (7) West Gate (1)