Shanxi Ancient Temple

Author: Han Zhenyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Among the dazzling ancient architecture of Shanxi, ancestral halls undoubtedly hold an important position. This is because ancestral halls occupy a unique place in ancient architecture. Ancestral halls are also known as family temples, clan temples, or family shrines, and they belong to ancient ritual sites. The objects of worship include natural deities such as heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers, as well as so-called virtuous scholars and officials, including loyal ministers, capable generals, honest and incorruptible officials, and heroes in people's hearts. More often, they are the ancestors and forefathers of the family. Therefore, ancestral halls, unlike Buddhist temples or Taoist temples, do not merely reflect a single cultural connotation. From ancestral halls, one can not only see the spiritual pursuits of the ancients but also observe the changes in their beliefs, the rise and fall of the clan system, and the folk customs associated with them. Compared to Buddhist temples and Taoist temples, ancestral halls can be said to be secular places. An ancestral hall can be said to be a folk museum, and at the same time, it can be said to be a history of the family's changes. Understanding ancestral halls is equivalent to understanding national culture and folk customs. An ancestral hall is often a spiritual home for people in a place and a family, and therefore, the construction of ancestral halls often requires the efforts and wisdom of an entire region and clan. Over the long course of history, they are continuously improved upon by descendants. Such buildings are the best in terms of scale and are also the richest in cultural connotation.