Futang Taiji Village

Futang Taiji Village

Futang Taiji Village – An ancient village rich in Taoist culture

Futang Taiji Village is located in the Wufeng Mountain range of Xiufeng Township, Pinghe County, at an average altitude of over 800 meters. It encircles an ancient settlement of 3.6 square kilometers – Taiji Village. Amidst a blend of traditional and contemporary buildings, an “S”-shaped stream flows from east to west, splitting a lush expanse into northern and southern halves. This “S”-shaped stream happens to mark the boundary between the yin and yang elements of a Taoist taijitu (yin-yang symbol), thereby dividing the ancient village into the “two polarities of taiji” – the “yang fish” to the south of the stream and the “yin fish” to the north. Circular earthen buildings, known as round tulou, are constructed at the “fish eyes” of each polarity: the Nanyang Lou (South Yang Tower) and Juikui Lou (Gathering Scholars Tower). Viewed from above, the entire village resembles a Taoist yin-yang taijitu diagram. This is the ancient village of Futang, enveloped in a profound aura of Taoist mysticism.

Futang Taiji Village was largely formed during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era through the Qing Dynasty’s Shunzhi and Kangxi periods, and was refined by successive generations. It was originally a settlement area for the wealthy Zhu clan in Pinghe. The village was first planned and built by Zhu Yibo, the 18th-generation descendant of Zhu Xi – the Southern Song Dynasty neo-Confucian scholar and educator who fled here to escape war. Zhu Yibo carefully designed the village according to the natural landscape and mountainous terrain of Shangdafeng, following the principle that “where mountain and water converge, there lies the union of heaven and earth.” To this day, the village retains 62 ancient residential buildings from the Ming and Qing periods, totaling 858 rooms. Most are large, brick-and-stone courtyard houses, each featuring a central courtyard, flower stands, and a Bagua well (also called a yin-yang well). The area abounds with root carvings, antique ceramics, curios, and calligraphy and paintings. The beams are adorned with carved dragons and painted patterns, gilded and ornately designed, exuding an antique charm and remarkable craftsmanship. Fine wood carvings and paintings of taijitu symbols, animals, flowers, plants, figures, and mythical stories from those times can still be faintly seen in the ancient residences.

Source: Zhangzhou Municipal Party History Research Office

Futang Village: Located at the border between Fujian and Guangdong provinces, Futang Village in Xiufeng Township served as a key stopover on ancient trade routes between the two regions. Covering an area of 3.6 square kilometers and situated at an altitude of over 800 meters, it borders Yongding County to the northwest, connects to Yong’an in Longyan to the north, and leads to Dabu in Guangdong to the south. The village enjoys beautiful surroundings, with clear mountains and rivers, a mild climate, and convenient transportation. It governs 18 villager groups, has a total population of 4,350, a village fiscal income of 120,000 yuan, and an average per capita rural income of 10,600 yuan. … More details about Futang Village ++