The Temple of Tao and De (Wonder Matches & Miracle Beads) (2013) Design by Anatolii Zhamoido

The Temple of Tao and De was inspired by the Beijing Temple of Heaven.
Its structure rests on three tiers, symbolizing the trinity of all worlds.
A beaded sculpture of the sacred Chinese plum blossom, together with the symbol of Yin-Yang — unity of opposites — completes the composition.
Beaded mosaics and computer graphics, printed and applied by hand, recreate the signs of ancient Chinese cosmology:
the eight trigrams of Heaven, Wind, Water, Thunder, Mountain, Earth, Fire, and Lake;
a symbolic image of the hieroglyph “Double Happiness”;
and the dragon — embodiment of power, wisdom, and strength.
According to tradition, emperors ascended to the top tier of the Temple of Heaven to pray for harmony on Earth and a good harvest.
The temple’s circular form — symbol of Heaven — always faced upward,
while its square base — symbol of Earth — remained grounded, always in shadow.
Thus, in this miniature temple, Qi — the breath of the universe — pulses.
Everything flows: day turns into night, warmth gives way to coolness,
Yang ascends, Yin descends.
The round roof reaches skyward, while the square foundation holds steady below.
Originally developed as part of an educational project in the form of books and creativity kit published in Ukraine and RF (before the war), this version of the artwork represents a full realization of the concept. Its creation took approximately 3–4 weeks of full-time work. The object stands as both an artifact and an invitation: to rediscover wonder in the smallest materials and the slowest gestures.
A step-by-step illustrated guide to creating the matchstick cottage and beaded trees is available as a PDF and can be ordered directly from the author.
The guide is offered in Ukrainian or Russian (and can be easily translated into your preferred language — for example, by ChatGPT).
Price: €5.


To hold this temple is to hold the Tao —
not a doctrine, but a Way.
Not a path outward, but inward.
A return. A reunion. A becoming whole again.

In the circle’s heart, the Dao gently breathes —
The Unnamed Way the heart perceives.
Three tiers rise: Earth and Heaven unfold,
The third — eternal, where Time is untold.
Plum blossoms bloom, trigrams align,
The dragon dances in sacred design.
Yin and Yang in spiraled flow,
The joy-sign glows with living Dao.
Each detail rings with the sound of All,
The pulse of Being in something small.
No need to bind your spirit tight —
The Dao and De rest in your light.
***

The Temple of Tao and De
In circles turns the breath of sky,
Where plum trees bloom and spirits fly.
Three tiers arise, a sacred thread —
Heaven, Earth, and what's unsaid.
The dragon stirs, the trigrams gleam,
A temple born from matchstick dream.
Yin meets Yang in silent grace —
The cosmos dancing in one place.
So hold it close, this tiny dome —
And feel the Tao that leads you home.

***

I walked the temple three times round,
East wind whispered “De”.
Amidst the beads and golden threads —
Silence, bright as spring.

A petal fell into my palm,
With it — time and sky.
If all is held in miniature,
Infinity dwells inside.
888
***

У центрі кола дихає Дао —
Шлях, що не названий, серце впізнáло.

Три рівні — триєдність: Небо й Земля,
І третє — що вічне, де Час — лиш ім’я.

Тут слива, триграми, танцює дракон,
І кожна деталь — ніби Всесвіту дзвін.

Їнь-Ян у спіралі, знак щастя сія —
Живуть тут як подих усього Буття.
Тож досить тримати свій дух у полоні:
Дао і Де — у твоїй долон..
1. Класична китайська (文言文 стилізація)
(у дусі поезії династії Тан)
圓中道息，
無名之徑，心自識。
三層台階，天地現，
其三者，恆存，時名失。
梅開靈壇，八卦生，
龍舞其間，萬象明。
陰陽旋繞，雙喜照，
細節鳴響，大道道。
莫縛神馭，
道與德，掌中住。
________________________________________
🌸 2. Сучасна китайська (白话文 переклад)
(зрозумілою мовою для сучасного китайського читача)
在圆的中心，道在呼吸，
那无名的路，心已经认出。
三层的结构，象征天地与永恒，
第三层，是超越时间的存在。
这里有梅花、有八卦、
还有舞动的龙在其中。
阴阳旋转，双喜闪耀，
每个细节，都像宇宙在低语。
别再束缚你的灵魂，
道与德，就在你掌心之中。

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