The Fang Clan Ancestral Hall Archway

The Fang Clan Ancestral Hall Archway

The stone archway of the Fang Clan Ancestral Hall was built in the Dinghai year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1527). It features four pillars, three bays, and five stories, constructed from white hemp stone sourced from Huizhou. The entire structure is adorned with high-relief carvings, with patterns on the upper and main beams all intricately hollowed out. The tallest relief carving stands 28 cm above the base slab. Uniquely, at the top of the archway where other similar structures typically display inscriptions such as "Imperial Edict," "Imperial Grace," or "Royal Decree" under their so-called "Dragon and Phoenix Plaques," this particular archway's "Dragon and Phoenix Plaque" bears no inscription at all. Instead, it features the carved image of a grimacing ghost holding a writing brush in its right hand and a “quan” (a symbol of authority) in its left, with an upturned back foot resting upon a large square dou (a measuring vessel). Together, the “ghost” and “dou” form the Chinese character “kui” (meaning “scholarly star” or “the star of literature”). The dou symbolizes the measurement of talent, the brush points to the top scholar, and the authority represents power. The "Dragon and Phoenix Plaque" of this archway honors the God of Literature (Kui Xing), while the reverse side is carved with the "Moon Palace and Osmanthus Tree" scene. The upper beam depicts two majestic roc birds soaring with spread wings, and the lower beam shows “two lions fighting over a ball.” The designer of the archway not only infused it with profound symbolism but also crafted vivid imagery and unparalleled, exquisite carving craftsmanship, expressing hopes that the clan’s descendants would produce many scholars and notable figures — achieving academic excellence, entering officialdom, embarking on brilliant careers, and bringing honor to their ancestors.