The Qu Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety

The Qu Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety

The Qu Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety is a cultural relics protection unit of Yixing City.

The Qu Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety is located in Houtang Natural Village, Shuimu Village, Zhoutie Town, Yixing City. It was designated as a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit in November 1996.

Constructed in the 23rd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1558), the archway was built to honor Madam Qu, the wife of Confucian scholar Hu Guotai, for her virtue and filial piety. It has a single-bay, double-pillar, triple-story structure, built from a combination of granite and bluestone. The lintels are engraved with inscriptions such as “Imperial Favor,” “Chastity,” “Fame for Chastity and Filial Piety,” and “Imperial Recognition,” along with decorative motifs including twin lions playing with a ball, twin dragons chasing a pearl, civil officials, geometric patterns, and scroll designs. The entire structure spans 3.18 meters in width and stands 5.68 meters tall.