The Eight-character Wall of Zixiao Palace

On both sides outside the Dragon and Tiger Hall of the Zixiao Palace, there are glazed eight-shaped walls constructed. Among the ancient architectural complexes of Wudang Mountain, the gate buildings of high-level palaces and temples all adopt an eight-character wall layout and use glazed tiles to mark the status of imperial buildings. It not only possesses the majesty, solemnity and dignity of imperial power, but also is a manifestation of ancient beliefs and aesthetic concepts. The eight-shaped wall at the main gate of Zixiao Palace consists of three parts: the Sumeru pedestal, the wall and the tiled roof. The central part of the wall and the four corners of the border are inlaid with glazed components featuring relief patterns. The lifelike jade flowers and auspicious rare birds are like exquisite works of art, demonstrating the extremely high level of pottery craftsmanship at that time. Both the Dragon and Tiger Hall and the Ten Directions Hall of the Zixiao Palace are equipped with eight-shaped wall buildings, which both carry the fundamental significance of the Zhongshan Gate in imperial architecture.