What does a typical Confucian temple consist of?
In a typical Confucian temple, all buildings are built on one axis. At the entrance, there is a semi-circle bridge, and under it is a pond that has lotus in it. Behind the bridge, there will be multiple gates leading us to main halls. The number of halls depends on how formal this temple is. Walking through the bridge, we will see a gate called Lingjiu Gate. On the Lingjiu Gate, there carved propitious clouds representing wellbeing. A Lingjiu Gate has four pillars and is divided into three pathways. In most Confucian temples, there are not seven formal gates, because they are smaller. However, Dacheng Gate, the seventh gate of the largest Confucian temples, is indispensible. It is the most important Gate. Following it is Dacheng Hall, which is the most important hall/building in a Confucian temple. There are statues of Confucius and, in bigger temples, his most well-known disciples. In addition to Dacheng Hall, there is an Apricot Alter, an alter around which plants apricot trees. The Apricot Alter is the place where Confucius once taught.
DIfferences in architecture styles of Confucian temples in different regions of China.
Even though Confucian temples follow a typical structure, temples in different regions have their own characteristics. Most differences show in the materials of architectures, decoration on the roofs, structure of the yard, and animals carved on pillars. For example, the Jianshui Confucian temple in Yunnan Province implemented local building style, style supported by wood, bricks, and stones. In addition, dragons and lions are carved on the pillars of honorific arch. Furthermore, because Yunnan Province has a large area of natural Lake, Dache Lake, Jianshui temple adopted this geographical characteristic by building its semi-circle bridge on the natural lake with walls preventing water. Compared to Jianshui temple, Deyang temple in Sichuan is different because craftsmen have different interpretation toward Confucian ritual. There are music and dancing pavilions in Deyang temple. There are two singing and dancing pavilions symmetrically on both sides of Dacheng Hall, which is the only case among all Confucian temples in China.