| Bell
Tower of Xian (1384 onward)
other
sites in Xian |
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Click on the thumbnail images to enlarge
Symbol of the city, the Bell Tower of Xian was built in 1384 during the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Ming Emperor. Originally it was attached to Yingxiang Temple, once located at the center of the city, but in 1582 it was moved to the intersection of the North, South, East, and West Streets, where it stands today. The Bell Tower was used to tell time for many centuries, but its original purpose remains a mystery.
Some legends say that the tower was built for superstitious reasons. According to one local legend, the tower was to anchor a subterranean dragon attached to the tower's foundation by a long iron chain. The dragon's restless movements were thought to be responsible for earthquakes—a common occurrence in Xian.
Though of course futile, the Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang built dozens of bell towers across the country. A commoner of peasant stock, the suspicious emperor feared that someone of "dragon blood" (i.e., royalty or blue blood) would rise to usurp his kingdom. Accordingly, he built a number of towers to repress the "spirit of the dragon". Perhaps the towers fulfilled their goal, in a fashion—the large building projects demonstrated central authority over the provinces, strengthening the kingdom and soothing rebellion.
The tower was in poor shape until 1949, when it was repaired by the local government of Xian. The tower is 36 meters high and almost as wide.
Bibliography:
All images copyright 2001 Professor Kerk
L. Phillips of Brigham Young University, Utah, USA.
Visit his webpage at www.pomosa.com
Boyd, Andrew. Chinese
Architecture and Town Planning: 1500 B.C. - A.D. 1911
Holmesdale Press Ltd., London.
1962
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/bigwildgoose.htm