“Why ‘Top’?” someone once asked about Beijing’s famous Bixia Yuanjun Temples. We are standing before what remains of one of these temples. These temples were once referred to as the ‘Five Tops’.
Let’s explore the story behind the name and the significance of these sacred places dedicated to Bixia Yuanjun. In old Beijing there were five famous Bixia Yuanjun Temples. They were known as the ‘Five Tops’. These included the East Top West Top South Top North Top and Central Top.
A Qing Dynasty book tried to explain the name. It said temples were mostly on mountain tops. The book then linked temples and mountain tops. The explanation is not perfect. Many temples stood at the foot of mountains or halfway up. However Beijing people called Bixia Yuanjun Temples ‘Tops’. This was because the main Bixia Yuanjun Temple was on Mount Tai. Beijing’s Bixia Yuanjun Temples came from Mount Tai. So even in the city they got the name ‘Top’.
Bixia Yuanjun’s full title is ‘Eastern Peak Mount Tai Heavenly Immortal Jade Maiden Bixia Yuanjun’. Common people call her ‘Mount Tai Granny’. Stories about her background differ. One says she was the daughter of Mount Tai. Another says she was the Jade Maiden of Mount Tai. Emperor Zhenzong of Song ordered a new statue of the Jade Maiden. He also had stone tables made for offerings. Some say he named her Bixia Yuanjun. Another story says she was sent by the Yellow Emperor.
Taoists see Bixia Yuanjun as a goddess from heaven. She helps people in trouble. She came down to Mount Tai as the Jade Maiden. Bixia Yuanjun helps the country and its people.
People believe Bixia Yuanjun has great powers. She protects farmers businesses travelers and marriages. She can heal and help women have children. From the Ming and Qing dynasties she became very popular in northern China.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties Beijing had many Bixia Yuanjun Temples. The five most famous were the ‘Five Tops’. The ‘Five Tops’ existed perhaps from the Ming Dynasty. One book lists temples at certain bridges as ‘Tops’. The book mentions temples at the Wheat Field Bridge the Grass Bridge and outside Dongzhimen and Andingmen.
The South Top is not named. By the Qing Dynasty people called the temple outside Dahongmen the South Top. Another temple was called Great South Top.
The East Top was outside Dongzhimen. It was also known as Xinggong Temple. It was built in the Ming Dynasty. Temple fairs happened every April. Few people came to them. By the late Qing Dynasty the temple needed repair. After 1949 the temple was used by a farm team. Its location is now near the Huadu Hotel.
The West Top was in Qinglong Township. It was first built in 1608. In 1708 it was repaired. It was first named Huguo Hongci Palace. In 1712 its name changed to Guangren Palace. Emperor Kangxi wrote words for the main hall. Emperor Qianlong also wrote words for the hall. Temple fairs happened every April. People went there to offer soil.
The South Top was in Nantou Village outside Dahongmen. It was built during the reign of Emperor Zhengde. It was repaired in 1713 and 1773. There were three halls.
The North Top was in Beitou Village. It was built in the Ming Dynasty.
The Central Top was outside Youanmen in Nanwei Village. In the Tang Dynasty Wanfu Temple stood there. In the Ming Dynasty Bixia Yuanjun Temple was built.
Beijing’s Five Tops were around the city. They were places of faith folk activities and trade. They were important in Beijing people’s lives. These temples played a big role in Beijing’s traditional culture. Bixia Yuanjun Temples show us much about Beijing’s past.