Miaole Temple Pagoda

CHINA, Henan, Jiaozuo

Miaole means Wondrous Joy, but it was originally called True Body Relic Pagoda. It was built during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and rebuilt in 955 during the Later Zhou dynasty. According to the stele recording its restoration, the pagoda is the 15th out of the 19 pagodas in China that were built to store relics of the Buddha. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.
The 13-tier, square, hollow, brick pagoda is 34 m high. The base has a length of 9 m. The size of each tier decreases with height producing a tapered curved effect. An arched doorway is located on the south side. Each tier is similar in design except for the second tier which has a layer of bricks decorated with leaf patterns made from clay. A doorway is located on the south side of the ninth tier and a stele has been erected beside it.
The 6.7 m high gilt bronze spire consists of a harmika, seven stacked rings, a canopy, a flame, a horizontal crescent moon, three jewels, and a pointed finial. Four chains connect the spire with each corner of the roof, where there are gilt bronze statues of lions. The spire is special in that the whole structure was cast in a single piece.