Iron Pagoda

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The Iron Pagoda of Kaifeng, China, built in 1049 AD during the Song Dynasty.

The Iron Pagoda (鐵塔) of Youguo Temple (佑國寺), Kaifeng City, Henan province, is a Buddhist Chinese pagoda built in 1049 AD during the Song Dynasty (960–1279) of China. The pagoda is so-named not because it is made of iron, but because the colour of the building resembles that of iron. It is a brick pagoda tower built on the location of a previous wooden pagoda that had been burnt down by lightning fire in 1044 AD. Along with the Liuhe, Lingxiao, Liaodi, Pizhi, and Beisi pagodas, it is seen as a masterpiece of Song Dynasty architecture.

[edit] Architecture

This octagonal-base structure stands at a current height of 56.88 meters (186.56 feet), with a total of 13 stories.^[1] It is a solid-core brick tower with an inner spiral stone staircase and outside openings to allow light and air flow.^[2] The architectural style features densely positioned, articulated dougong in the eaves (miyan) and multiple stories (louge).^[2] The exterior features more than fifty different varieties of glazed brick and 1,600 intricate and richly detailed carvings, including those of sitting Buddha, standing monks, singers and dancers, flowers, lions, dragons and other legendary beasts as well as many fine engravings. Under the eaves are 104 bells that ring in the wind. The foundation rests in the silt of the Yellow River.^[3] Inside the Iron Pagoda are frescos of the classical Chinese tale, the Journey to the West.^[4]

[edit] History

In the Northern Song (960–1127) dynasty's capital city of Kaifeng, the famous architect Yu Hao built a magnificent wooden pagoda as part of Youguo Temple (between 965–995 AD) that was considered by many of his contemporaries to be a marvel of art.^[5] It was thirteen stories and 120 meters high. Unfortunately, the widely admired structure burned down in 1044 after a lightning strike.^[5] Under the order of Emperor Renzong (1022–1063), a new pagoda was built in its place by 1049. The new tower was built of nonflammable brick and stone and was dubbed the 'Iron Pagoda' due its iron-grey color when viewed from afar (its bricks are in fact glazed red, brown, blue, and green). In 1847 the Yellow River overflowed its banks and the Youguo Temple collapsed, but the Iron Pagoda survived. Historically, the pagoda has experienced 38 earthquakes, six floods and many other disasters, but it remains intact after almost 1000 years.^[6]^[3]