Guanghui Temple Flower Pagoda

CHINA, Hebei, Shijiazhuang

The pagoda is located within the grounds of Guanghui Temple, which is no longer extant. From an inscription it is thought that the pagoda was constructed during the Song dynasty (960–1279), or possibly earlier. Repairs were later carried out during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. The four pagodas located at each corner were destroyed in wartime in 1944. It was not until 1994 to 1999 that repairs were made and the pagoda was completely renovated. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1961.
The overall structure consists of a central pagoda and four smaller pagodas at the corners. It has three stories and a height of 40.5 m. The first story has multiple sides. There are doors in the sides facing the four cardinal directions. The eaves are supported by bracket sets. Standing on the ridge of the roof at each corner there are representations of small pagodas. The second story is supported by bracket sets. This story is octagonal with each wall separated into three bays. Only the central bays on the walls facing the four cardinal directions have doors, while the remaining bays all have false windows. The eaves, supported by bracket sets, are followed by a flat base surrounded by balustrades. The third story is quite small and is followed by a prominent tapered curved part, which is decorated with carved images of warriors, lions, elephants, and small cuboid pagodas. Next is an octagonal pyramidal roof, which is topped by a spire.
This arrangement of five pagodas is similar to that of the Diamond Throne Pagodas. However, the tapered curved part symbolizes the Lotus Treasury World as described in the Avatamsaka Sutra. As a result of its reference to this sutra and its resemblance to a bouquet of flowers, it is known as the Flower Pagoda. This style was prevalent in northern China, with this particular pagoda being the best example.