Huangwa Temple of Wealth in Beijing
Location
Huangwa Temple of Wealth (黄瓦财神庙) is located at 117 Gulou Dongdajie (鼓楼东大街), Dongcheng District (东城区), Beijing (北京). It is situated on the east side of the southern entrance of Beiluoguoxiang (北锣鼓巷).
Overview
The temple currently retains only the main hall, which faces south and features three bays. It is a Taoist (道教) temple, with the God of Wealth (财神) represented in both civil (文) and military (武) aspects by Bi Gan (比干) and Zhao Gongming (赵公明), respectively.
Historical Development
- Late Ming Dynasty: The temple was originally constructed.
- 1985: The temple became a residence, with only three halls remaining and no deity statues.
- August 2005: The temple underwent renovations.
Architectural Layout
Located approximately 200-300 meters east of the Drum Tower (鼓楼) in Beijing, Huangwa Temple features a hard mountain-style structure with three northern rooms. Despite its modest size, the building boasts a roof covered in bright yellow glazed tiles with five ridges. The main ridge has a chiwen (鸱吻) ornament, and each hanging ridge features mythical beasts, indicating its significant historical importance.
Historical Culture
According to folklore, when Prince Yongzheng (雍正) passed by the temple, he prayed for blessings to ascend to the throne. This claim likely lacks a clear record in official history, as the prince would not have revealed such thoughts before Emperor Kangxi’s (康熙) death. Nevertheless, the use of bright yellow tiles on a small temple suggests a connection to the efficacy of prayers and royalty.
Yongzheng, the third emperor of the Qing Dynasty (大清), is surrounded by many legends, particularly regarding the alleged alteration of Emperor Kangxi’s will. The legend claims he changed “ten” (十) in “passing the throne to the fourteenth son” to “to” (于), transforming it to “passing the throne to the fourth son.” However, this claim has numerous flaws, as the character for “to” was written as “於” before simplification, making such a substitution impossible. Moreover, Qing law required edicts to be written in both Manchu and Chinese, and the common practice documented in royal archives referred to royal sons in a specific manner.
Cultural Heritage Value
The renovation of Gulou Dongdajie has allowed Huangwa Temple of Wealth to retain its significant portions. It serves as a resting, recreational, and nostalgic spot for both residents and tourists. Worshippers can pray at the temple for blessings, contributing to a harmonious society. It is hoped that no officials will impulsively decide to repurpose the temple, burying it again under residential areas.
