- Liuhe Pagoda
Liuhe Pagoda (zh-sp|s=六和塔|p=Liùhé Tǎ), literally Six Harmonies Pagoda or Six Harmonies Tower, is multi-storied Chinese
pagoda in southernHangzhou ,Zhejiang province, China. It is located at the foot of Yuelun Hill, facing theQiantang River . It was originally constructed during theNorthern Song Dynasty (960 -1127 AD), destroyed in1121 , and reconstructed fully by1165 , during theSouthern Song Dynasty (1127 -1279 AD).History and background
The pagoda was originally constructed by the ruler of the Wuyue State, some of which would later makeup Zhejiang province. The name 'Liuhe' comes from the six
Buddhist ordinances and it is said that the reason for building the pagoda was to calm thetidal bore of the Qiantang River and as a navigational aid. However, the pagoda was completely destroyed during warfare in the year 1121.After the current pagoda was constructed of wood and brick during the Southern Song Dynasty, additional exterior eaves were added during the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644 - 1911). The pagoda is octagonal in shape and some 59.89 meters (196 feet) in height, it also has the appearance of being a thirteen-story structure, though it only has seven interior stories. There is a spiral staircase leading to the top floor and upon each of the seven ceilings are carved and painted figures including animals, flowers, birds and characters. Each story of the pagoda consists of four elements, the exterior walls, a zigzagged corridor, the interior walls and a small chamber. Viewed from outside, the pagoda appears to be layered-bright on the upper surface and dark underneath. That is a harmonious alternation of light and shade.According to
historian Joseph Needham , the pagoda also served as a lighthouse along the Qiantang River. Being of considerable size and stature, it actually served as a permanentlighthouse from nearly its beginning, to aidsailor s in seekinganchor age for their ships at night (as described in the "Hangzhou Fu Zhi").Needham, 662.]Gallery
ee also
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Chinese architecture
*Architecture of the Song Dynasty Notes
References
*Needham, Joseph (1986). "Science and Civilization in China: Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology, Part 3, Civic Engineering and Nautics". Taipei: Caves Books, Ltd.
External links
* [http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_travel/2003-09/24/content_34544.htm Six Harmonies Pagoda]
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