The second oldest Confucian temple after the Qufu Confucian Temple: Zhengzhou Confucian Temple

Zhengzhou Confucian Temple was once the oldest, most extensive, and largest ancient architectural complex in Zhengzhou. According to the 'Zhengzhou Records' compiled during the Ming Dynasty, the Zhengzhou Confucian Temple was established during the Yongping years of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, making it the second oldest Confucian temple in the country after the one in Qufu. Upon entering the Confucian Temple square, the Lingxing Gate immediately comes into view. As you step through the Lingxing Gate, it signifies that you have entered the spatial domain of the Confucian Temple, and your behavior and demeanor must become dignified, and your expression and attitude must become serious. This may well be the ceremonial sense of 'stepping into the hall'. Crossing the Lingxing Gate, you will see the Pan Bridge (pàn), also known as the Scholar's Bridge or the Ao Bridge. In ancient times, students' enrollment was called 'entering Pan'. 'First rectify your attire and comportment, then understand principles and reasoning.' The entire architectural complex of the Confucian Temple has a clear central axis. There are five courtyards along the central axis, with a rational layout and elegant architecture. There are attractions such as the Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Zunjing Pavilion, Well Pavilion, side halls, Stele Corridor, and Wishing Plaques. Walking across the Pan Bridge, you officially begin to enter the Confucian Temple. The building directly ahead is called 'Dacheng Gate', and on both sides of the Dacheng Gate, there are two pairs of couplets with gold-embossed characters inscribed on the pillars, which read 'The teachings of Si River multiply, extending endlessly to future generations; the Spring and Autumn periods look up to the brilliant human culture shining over the capital of Shang' and 'Following rites and the way, the Analects educate heaven and earth; the most holy and revered teacher illuminates the past and present'. The architectural form of the Dacheng Hall is the ancient 'Xieshan style', with a complex roof structure and exquisite craftsmanship, truly exceptional. The highest point of the hall is called the 'ridge', and at each end of the ridge, there are 2-meter-high dragon head-shaped components called 'kiss', symbolizing the dragon's control over rainfall, a sign of fire prevention. At the very center of the ridge stands a double-layered tower-like structure, adorned with auspicious ornaments such as qilin and elephants. Zhengzhou Confucian Temple