Pagoda of Fogong Temple (Ying County, Shanxi, China)

Published/Created:

Ying County, Shanxi, China
Ying County (Ying xian), 85 km (53 mi) south of Datong
1056

Physical Description:

220.83 ft (height, total)

Date Depicted:

6/4/2009

Materials:

wood; tile

Notes:

Also called the Mu ta (Timber Pagoda) or Fogong si. One of the extant buildings of the Liao dynasty, a Northern Chinese dynastic period dating from 907 to 1125; it was founded by the proto-Mongolian and nomadic Khitan people. Liao architecture displays Tang influence and an adherence to Buddhism. The pagoda is dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha. The pagoda stands on a 4 m (13 ft) tall stone platform, has a 10 m (33 ft) tall steeple, and reaches a total height of 67.31 m (220.83 ft) tall; it is the oldest existent fully wooden pagoda still standing in China. The wide, octagonal, five-story (exterior) structure is somewhat squat. The compact bracket system supporting the steeply sloping and projecting eaves is fairly sophisticated, and flying rafters are employed throughout. The structure is unique: its six layers of exterior eaves conceal its interior construction: five interior colonnaded floors and four perimeter galleries, topped by a roof level. Moreover, 56 different bracketing formations have been identified, many of which correspond to illustrations in the Yingzao fashi of 50 years later.

Variant Titles:

佛宫寺释迦塔

Topics:

Architecture -- China -- 11th century -- (YVRC)

Period/Style:

Liao dynasty, 907-1125

Culture:

Chinese

Accession Number:

1A2-CH-D-PFT-F6

Coordinates:

+39.565278+113.181944

Genre:

architecture (AAT)
religious buildings: pagodas (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Sculptures, Models, & Architecture

Rights:

Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Digital:

buildings; religious buildings; pagodas (buildings); buildings; religious buildings; temples architecture; deities; Buddhist; Buddhism

Source Creator:

Gilchrist, Scott

Source Title:

Archivision Addition Module Seven

Source Created:

2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
6/4/2009 12:00:00 AM

Source Note:

Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Local Record Number:

4349

OID:

10471476

PID:

digcoll:1819009