It has been said that the Five Lords were ennobled by the Jade Emperor himself and that their mission on earth is to report on man’s works of good and evil in the world. Thus they are known collectively as Daitian Shunshou (Heaven’s Terrestrial Inspectors) and their earthly palace is called Daitian (‘on heaven’s behalf’). The main marquee above the main temple gate, which reads ‘Nankunshen Daitianfu’, directly reflects this story.
Three dragons are exquisitely portrayed in the wood marquee, which is set above the twin protector dragons carved deftly into the stone lintel above the doorway. A part of the temple since it first opened, this is one of the temple’s most important and historically valuable items.
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