Anguo is a mecca for herbalists, and the herbal trading center of northern China. No trip to Anguo would be complete without a visit to the Medicine God temple.
April 28th is the day to celebrate and make incense offerings to Pi Tong. Herbal farmers, processers and just about everybody involved in the herbal trade visit the temple during this week and have been doing so for generations. Some amazing doctors have walked through these same doors. Pi Tong’s remains are buried here in the center court yard. It is the oldest medicine god temple in China and the original structure dates back to the Han Dynasty.
Legend states that Pi Tong, a shoe maker/herbal doctor and former military man saved the life of a sick princess with a special herbal formula. Because of his assistance he was bestowed the title “General of Medicine”.
This is still an active place of worship and the caretaker requested that no photos be taken inside the shrine. I was however allowed to shoot outside the temple and got a shot of the incense burner in the center court yard.
1 comment:
Gloria:
It was a beautiful beautiful place and I was glad to be able to share it with you!
Yours in health,
Misha
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