Southern Heavenly Gate(南天门):

The Southern Heavenly Gate is a significant concept in ancient Chinese mythology and Taoist culture. It is often depicted as the southern gate of the Celestial Court and the main entrance to the heaven realm. The Southern Heavenly Gate frequently appears in many literary works, myths, and TV dramas, imbued with rich symbolic meaning.

The Southern Heavenly Gate serves as the gateway connecting the mortal world to the heaven realm. If a mortal can enter the Southern Heavenly Gate, they can reach the Celestial Court and meet the Jade Emperor and the immortals. Therefore, it symbolizes the passage to the sacred and supernatural world.

According to legend, the Southern Heavenly Gate is guarded by the Four Heavenly Kings, namely Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Virūḍhaka, Virūpākṣa, and Vaiśravaṇa. The Four Heavenly Kings are formidable and brave, protecting the safety of the Celestial Court and preventing yaoguais and fiends and unwelcome guests from invading.

In traditional Chinese architecture, some Taoist temples and monasteries name their mountain gates after the Southern Heavenly Gate, reflecting this concept in their architectural design. These structures are usually grand and magnificent, lavishly decorated, symbolizing the portal to the divine realm.