The Construction of Taoist Temples and Stone Tablets and the Political Expression of Local Society Before and After the Wu Zhou Revolution
Before and after the Wu Zhou Revolution,local society responded to the change of the central government and expressed their political demands through activities such as building Taoist temples and stone tablets.A number of Taoist temples were established in various regions to pray for blessings for Emperor Gaozong of Tang in the underworld,among which several groups of Taoist temples with the same names are particularly noteworthy.They are official Taoist temples established under policy guidance,reflecting Gaozong of Tang's will to promote Taoism and Wu Zetian's declaration of the source of power.The stone carvings,represented by the Tai Shang Lao Jun(太上老君)Stone Statue Stele and the Baihe Guan(白鹤观)Stele,serve as tangible manifestations not only of the local social forces and political choices dominated by the local officials in the early Tang dynasty,but also as a material carrier for the central government to exert political influence in local society through Taoist activities during the Wu Zhou period.These official Taoist temples,which are closely related to central policies or the emperor himself,have always maintained a high influence in local society.The stone tablets erected in the Taoist temples and the activities of inscription writing carried out many times afterwards showcase the power structure of local society in the early Tang dynasty and the way political expression was carried out through Taoist activities.Several inscriptions from different periods are gathered on one stone tablet,revealing the power inheritance and political identification between the Li Tang and Wu Zhou regimes.
Emperor Gaozong of TangWu Zhou RevolutionStone CarvingsTaoismFengxian GuanBaihe Guan
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