Tomb of Wang De

Tomb of Wang De

The Tomb of Wang De is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The Tomb of Wang De is located at the Xiaomiao Temple beneath Yanziji (Swallow Rock), outside Zhongyang Gate in Nanjing.

Wang De, courtesy name Zihua, was a native of Shuyangzhai in Tongyuanjun during the Southern Song Dynasty. He joined the military at an early age and was known for his valor and martial prowess in battles against the Jin invaders, achieving repeated victories. Due to his outstanding military achievements, he was promoted multiple times, eventually holding positions such as Military Governor of Qingyuanjun, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards stationed in Jiankang Prefecture, Regional Commander of Eastern Zhejiang and Fujian, and Deputy Commander of Jingnan. He passed away in Jiankang (present-day Nanjing) in the 25th year of the Shaoxing era (1155).

The existing tomb features one stone stele. The stele’s top slab is 0.92 meters high, 1.26 meters wide, and 0.33 meters thick, adorned with bas-relief coiled dragons and cloud patterns underneath, and inscribed in regular script with “Spirit Way Stele of the Late Wang Gong, Posthumously Awarded the Title of Vice Protector-in-Chief, of the Song Dynasty.” The main body of the stele stands 2.14 meters tall, 1.23 meters wide, and 0.28 meters thick. The inscription, carved in regular script, consists of 55 lines with up to 98 characters per line, most of which are still legible. It primarily documents the life and deeds of Wang De, authored by Fu Li, the official in charge of Shaogzhou military and civil affairs. The exact year of the stele’s erection is no longer identifiable. The tortoise-shaped base’s visible upper portion is 0.58 meters high, with a remaining length of 1.95 meters and width of 1.27 meters, though much of it is damaged.

There is one stone tiger, depicted in a crouching stance, standing 1.2 meters tall, with a base 0.5 meters wide and 0.66 meters long. Its front two legs are both broken and missing.

There is one stone sheep, shown lying in a kneeling position, 1 meter tall, with a base 0.42 meters wide and 1.64 meters long. Its tail is damaged.

There is a pair of stone horses, depicted standing, each 1.4 meters tall, with a base 0.42 meters wide and 1.88 meters long. Parts of the horses’ bodies and muzzles are damaged.

Wang De, born in 1906, originally named Zeng Zongqian and also known as Zhuang Xuan, was from Houbao Village, Fugong Township, Chenghai County (now Longhai City), Fujian Province. In December 1926, he joined the Communist Youth League of China, and in February 1927, he became a member of the Communist Party of China. He organized peasant movements in southern Fujian. After the failure of the Great Revolution, he helped Chen Ming, sent by the Central Committee of the CPC, reconnect with the Southern Fujian Special Committee, quickly restoring the party and league organizations in Fujian. In January 1928, he served as the Organization Minister of the Communist Youth League Fujian Provincial Committee, and in 1929, he became the Secretary of the Communist Youth League Fujian Provincial Committee. On May 25, 1930, he participated in organizing... More details about Wang De++

Further Reading:

· First and Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Jiangsu Province