Legends and Stories of Ancient Chinese Architecture

Legend of Leifeng Pagoda, Ancient Chinese Architecture:

Legend of Leifeng Pagoda "The Legend of the White Snake": In Zhenjiang City during the Song Dynasty, Bai Suzhen, a snake demon with a thousand years of cultivation, in order to repay Xu Xian, a scholar, for saving her life in his previous life, took human form and wanted to repay the favor, and then she encountered the green snake spirit, Xiaoqing, and the two of them were companions. Bai Suzhen used her magical power and trickery to meet Xu Xian and married him. After the marriage, the monk of Jinshan Temple, Fa Hai, told Xu Xian that Bai Suzhen was a snake demon, and Xu Xian was skeptical.

Then Xu Xian followed Fa Hai's advice and let Bai Suzhen drink wine with Xionghuang at the Dragon Boat Festival, and Bai Suzhen showed her original form, but Xu Xian was scared to death. Bai Suzhen went to heaven and stole the herb Ganoderma lucidum to bring Xu Xian back to life. Fahai lured Xu Xian to the Jinshan Temple and put him under house arrest. Together with Xiaoqing, Bai Suzhen fought with Fahai and flooded the temple, but harmed other living beings as a result. After giving birth to her child, she was taken into Fahai's bowl and suppressed under the Leifeng Pagoda for violating the laws of heaven. Later, Bai Suzhen's son grew up and won the Scholarship, and went to the pagoda to sacrifice his mother, rescuing her and reuniting the whole family.

Expanded Information

The Leifeng Pagoda through the dynasties

Leifeng Pagoda was built in the Northern Song Dynasty in the second year of the Taipingxingguo (977) on Xizhao Mountain on the south shore of West Lake.

The Leifeng Pagoda was severely damaged by the war in the second year of Xuanhe of the Northern Song Dynasty (1120), and was rebuilt during the Qingyuan period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1195-1200), the building and furnishings reappeared to be brilliant, especially at dusk when it was reflected in the setting sun, which was named "Leifeng Sunset" (Li Song, "West Lake Picture"). Li Song "West Lake"), included in the ten scenic views of West Lake.

After the Southern Song Dynasty, "Leifeng Sunset" has been one of the most popular attractions of West Lake.

Ming Jiajing years (1522-1566), the invasion of the southeast coast of the Japanese siege of Hangzhou City, arson Leifeng Pagoda, after the disaster, the tower only remaining brick tower body, the body of the red, a cool, heavy style.

Pre-Qing Dynasty, Leifeng Pagoda to the exposed brick tower presents the beauty of the wreckage and the close relationship with the "White Snake" myths and legends, become the West Lake in the Ten Scenic Spots for the people to enjoy the attractions, and even Kangxi, Qianlong two emperors also came to visit many times and the title, "Leifeng Sunset" famous spread far and wide.

September 25, 1924, the Leifeng Pagoda brick tower finally collapsed, part of the tower brick in the hidden "all the Buddha's heart secret whole body relics treasure suitcase printed dharani sutra" scrolls, "Leifeng Sunset" scenic but from now on the name of the real dead. Leifeng Pagoda collapsed, causing social concern and discussion, people from all walks of life have been looking forward to the reconstruction of this famous pagoda.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Leifeng Pagoda