Ruiyun Pagoda

CHINA, Fujian, Fuzhou

Ruiyun means Auspicious Clouds. According to the records, Ruiyun Temple and the pagoda were built in 1606 during the Ming dynasty. It acquired its name from the legend that on the day of the foundation stone laying ceremony, multi-colored clouds covered the sky. The temple itself no longer exists. The pagoda was listed as a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site in 1961.
The seven-story, octagonal, granite pagoda is 35 m high. It is hollow inside and built in imitation of a wooden structure. The Sumeru base is 1.8 m high. More than 400 carvings can be found on each side with depictions of lions, deer, phoenixes, galloping horses, rabbits, monkeys, and cranes. The entrance is on the north side of the first story, while Buddha niches occupy the other seven sides. From the second to the sixth story, there are two doorways and six niches. The seventh story has four doorways and four niches. A pair of stone warriors used to stand on either side of every doorway but now only 12 warriors remain. The eaves consist of prominent bracket sets. Directly above the eaves there are platforms surrounded by balustrades. The spire is shaped like a gourd. Altogether the pagoda features 388 reliefs and openwork in varying sizes. They depict subjects such as Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and warriors in different postures. The tallest are 1.5 m, while the shortest are only 20 cm. They are vividly carved and display great artistry.