Lingyan Pavilion

Lingyan Pavilion (simplified Chinese: 凌烟阁; traditional Chinese: 凌煙閣; pinyin: Língyān Gé) was a small tower beside Sanqing Hall (三清殿) in the southwest of Taiji Palace (太極宮), Chang'an, the capital of the Tang dynasty. Its location in modern China is roughly in the north of Xi'an, Shaanxi.

Three ministers; 17th-century paintings, copies of book illustrations, probably imaginary versions of the lost originals.

The original 24

On 23 March 643,[1] during the Zhenguan era of the reign of Emperor Taizong in the Tang dynasty, the emperor commissioned the artist Yan Liben to paint life-sized portraits of 24 officials to commemorate them for their meritorious service and contributions to the Tang Empire. However, many among the 24 men were instrumental in helping Taizong seize power during the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

The paintings were displayed in Lingyan Pavilion and all of them faced north. The pavilion was divided into three layers: the innermost held the portraits of chancellors; the middle displayed paintings of princes and dukes; the outermost for the remaining ones. Emperor Taizong often visited the pavilion to view the portraits and reminisce the past.

The 24 officials are listed as such:

Name Name in Chinese Courtesy name Courtesy name in Chinese Title of Nobility Occupation Born Died
Zhangsun Wuji 长孙无忌 Fuji 辅机 Duke of Zhao Chancellor 594 659
Li Xiaogong 李孝恭 unknown Prince of Hejian Prefecture General 591 640
Du Ruhui 杜如晦 Keming 克明 Duke of Lai Chancellor 585 630
Wei Zheng 魏征 Xuancheng 玄成 Duke of Zheng Chancellor 580 643
Fang Qiao 房峤 Xuanling 玄龄 Duke of Liang Chancellor 579 648
Gao Jian 高俭 Shilian 士廉 Duke of Shen Chancellor 575 647
Yuchi Gong 尉迟恭 Jingde 敬德 Duke of E General 585 658
Li Jing 李靖 Yaoshi 药师 Duke of Wey General 571 649
Xiao Yu 萧瑀 Shiwen 时文 Duke of Song Chancellor 574 647
Duan Xiong 段雄 Zhixuan 志玄 Duke of Bao General 598 642
Liu Hongji 刘弘基 unknown Duke of Kui General 582 650
Qutu Tong 屈突通 unknown Duke of Jiang General 557 628
Yin Jiao 殷峤 Kaishan 开山 Duke Jie of Xun General ? 622
Chai Shao 柴绍 Sichang 嗣昌 Duke of Huo General 588 638
Zhangsun Shunde 长孙顺德 unknown Duke of Pi General 565 631
Zhang Liang 张亮 unknown Duke of Xun General ? 646
Hou Junji 侯君集 unknown Duke of Chen General ? 643
Zhang Gongjin 张公瑾 Hongshen 宏慎 Duke of Tan General 594 632
Cheng Zhijie (Cheng Yaojin) 程知节 (程咬金) Yizhen 义贞 Duke of Lu General 589 665
Yu Shinan 虞世南 Boshi 伯施 Duke of Yongxing County Chancellor 558 638
Liu Zhenghui 刘政会 unknown Duke of Xing Chancellor ? 635
Tang Jian 唐俭 Maoyue 茂约 Duke of Ju Chancellor 579 656
Li Shiji (Xu Shiji) 李世勣 (徐世勣) Maogong 懋功 Duke of Ying General 594 669
Qin Qiong 秦琼 Shubao 叔宝 Duke of Hu General 571 638

After Taizong

5 Tang emperors after Taizong also honored officials whom they felt have contributed greatly to the empire, by hanging their portraits in Lingyan Pavilion. Such officials include Guo Ziyi (honored by Tang Daizong and Tang Dezong) and Li Guangbi (honored by Tang Suzong), who were vital in putting down the An Lushan Rebellion. In a twist of fate, Chu Suiliang, whose calligraphy was used when honoring the original 24, was posthumously inaugurated into Lingyan Pavilion by Tang Dezong, and again by Tang Xuanzong, Li Chen.

Some officials were commemorated by more than one emperor. Thus, while the final number of portraits hung in the pavilion was 132, only about 100 officials were honored.

However, some officials were inaugurated by emperors who seek to curry favor through such a move. This was due to the weakening of imperial authority after the An Lushan Rebellion. Such officials include enunchs like Yu Chaoen and Cheng Yuanzhen, and generals like Tian Chengsi who helped usher in the era of fanzhen which became largely autonomous and defied control by the imperial court.

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See also
  • The 28 Generals of Yuntai

References
  1. 兩千年中西曆轉換
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