The Lin Clan Ancestral Hall of Dalian

The Lin Clan Ancestral Hall of Dalian

The Lin Clan Ancestral Hall of Dalian is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Lin Clan Ancestral Hall of Dalian is located in Dalian Village, Yance Subdistrict Office. Originally built during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, it was renovated and expanded in the early 1930s with funding from Lin Jiamu (also known as Lin Yi). Covering a land area of 1,186 square meters and a building area of 467 square meters, the main structure was originally made of wood and included the main hall, corridors, side rooms, courtyard, ancestral hall gate, and enclosing walls. After the liberation, the ancestral hall was used as school offices, classrooms, a kitchen, and faculty dormitories. Its interior was severely damaged, and the stone memorial archway in front of the hall was destroyed. In 1980, after the school moved out, descendants of the Lin clan, including Dewei, organized repairs, preliminarily restoring the ancestral hall as a venue for ancestral worship activities.

Over the years, exposed to wind and rain, the ancestral hall gradually deteriorated. In April 2008, descendants of the Lin clan in Dalian, including Dehou and Hongtong, donated over 100,000 yuan for renovation (with Hongtong personally contributing 60,000 yuan), and appointed specialists to oversee the project, which was completed in August of the same year. After the renovation, the ancestral hall was revitalized and presented a majestic appearance.

The main hall of the ancestral hall faces the Qian Mountain (Xia Ban Kou Mountain) at an orientation combining Xun (southeast) and Chen (southeast-by-southeast), with a sub-orientation of Bing Xu (194.5°–204.5°) and Bing Chen (194.5°–204.5°), sitting on the sixth degree of the Kui constellation (auspicious) and facing the fifteenth degree of the Zhen constellation (auspicious), forming a Yang Metal Luck configuration. It combines the four celestial guardians with the Moon Palace, where all elements are Yang, representing a Yang Metal Proper Luck configuration, also known as the “Heaven Gate and Earth Door,” one of the Four Heavenly Pillars. Sitting on a Luck position while welcoming the Luck Horse and the Yuan (head) Noble configuration, this location is highly auspicious. The main hall faces the Xun Mountain (the foothills of Xia Ban Kou), as the saying goes: “When Xun Mountain stands tall and pointed opposite, golden flowers slant to adorn the feast.” Backed by the Eight Immortals Rock, with green hills and clear waters, the scenery is picturesque. In front of the hall, the Wen Chuan Stream flows eastward around the village. To the right rear of the hall, the Geng Dragon enters the head like surging waves, making it a truly spiritually rich and beautiful site. The ancestral hall is situated on a geomantically favorable “sleeping ox” shape, with double-arm Earth Star Tian Cai, forming a single-edge knot, with the knot positioned at the Shou Star. Water channels

The four gilded characters "Lin Clan Ancestral Hall" (林氏宗祠) above the main gate of the ancestral hall, inscribed in strong and powerful strokes by Wei Gong, Director of the Provincial Lin Clan Committee, shine brilliantly, adding grandeur to the ancestral hall. Stepping through the main gate, you will see that the central hall and the side rooms form a concave shape, with a rectangular open courtyard (mingtang) in the middle, measuring 13.6 meters in length and 13.3 meters in width, covering an area of 180.88 square meters. This layout is considered auspicious (the hall aligns with the "Wood Star," symbolizing holding office and paying homage to the court). The open courtyard appears spacious and flat, serving as a space for worship and banquets. The three stone steps in front of the hall are yang (odd numbers), which are considered lucky, and the height of the courtyard gate and surrounding wall is 1.71 meters, aligning with the character "prosperity" (本) for good fortune. The overall layout of the ancestral hall generally adheres to the principles of traditional Chinese ancient architecture, featuring axial symmetry—that is, the hall gate, courtyard, large incense burner, side rooms, steps, corridors, and central hall are all arranged along the central axis, with symmetrical and neatly aligned side rooms, creating a balanced and rational layout. The main central hall features a flush gable roof, a post-and-lintel construction system, and a single-story double-slope roof. The center of the roof ridge is adorned with a "double-dragon kissing" sculpture and a floral basket design, while the entire roof is covered with golden glazed tiles. The vibrant colors shimmer from afar in the sunlight and dazzle up close, making the ancestral hall appear even more magnificent, solemn, dignified, and awe-inspiring.

The corridors are closely connected to the central hall and also feature a double-slope roof. By stepping up three stone slab steps from the courtyard or opening the side doors on either side of the corridors, one can enter the central hall. The central hall door is 1.535 meters wide (considered auspicious in terms of official rank and prosperity) and 2.18 meters high (auspicious in terms of wealth). In ancient times, the ancestral hall was the place where ancestral tablets were enshrined, bearing significance for the fortune and misfortune of the entire clan, as well as the wisdom and status of future generations. Therefore, great importance was attached to the construction and renovation of the ancestral hall, especially the width and height of the doors. According to the measurements of the "Door Light Ruler," the central width corresponds to the characters "Righteousness (义)" and "Official (官)," while the side door width corresponds to the characters "Root (本)" and "Wealth (财)," symbolizing the hope that descendants will achieve success and glory.

The inner walls and large pillars of the central hall have been freshly painted. Standing prominently in the hall, the wooden pillars bear couplets inscribed by Lin Weigong, President of the China Lin Clan Calligraphy and Painting Academy and Vice President of the Fujian Provincial Clan Genealogy Research Association: "Descended from the Nine Dragons, our family’s fame extends far; Upholding the Ten Virtues, our legacy endures long." The main beam pillars bear inscriptions by Guoliang: "The Western River Commandery, Jin'an Branch, descended from the Nine Pastoral Districts, now flourishing in Guangda Lianli; The founding ancestor Jian of Min, with prosperous lineage, flourishes in the Yun Three Lin and Jin Yi." The central "Four Pillars Hall" (四柱出厅)—it is said that only imperial or direct-line ancestral halls may use a "Six Pillars Hall"—typically only employs a "Four Pillars Hall." The central hall is one bay deep and five bays wide. At the center of the main bay is the spirit niche, with portraits of the founding ancestors Jian and Jin Yi painted on the rear wall, rendered in lifelike detail. The ancestral tablets are enshrined within the niche. Above the niche hangs a golden plaque inscribed with "Yong’an Hall" (永安堂). The upper corners of the niche are each carved with a vivid and powerful image of a cow. Below the niche is a marble altar table, on which incense burners, candlesticks, and other ritual offerings are placed, with a statue of the Earth God enshrined at the center below the table.

The Lin Clan genealogy of Dalian Village was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, leaving no trace. Although several attempts were made to restore it, none succeeded. Now, in order to implement the Yong’an City guidelines for compiling the Lin Clan genealogy and in consideration of the village’s actual conditions, the Lin Clan members are earnestly focusing on both genealogical compilation and ancestral hall restoration. The ancestral hall, after restoration, is now under dedicated care and management.

When drinking water, remember its source; honor ancestors and revere lineage. The Dalin Lin Clan, following the teachings of ancestral sages throughout Chinese history and fostering a culture of diligence and learning within their own community, promote Hakka spirit and enrich Hakka cultural heritage. They uphold the tradition of holding the annual autumn ancestor worship ceremony on the first day of the eighth lunar month, a time when people of the same ancestry, roots, and bloodline gather during the crisp autumn season. During this time, Lin Clan members congregate in the ancestral hall to conduct worship ceremonies and pay respects at ancestral gravesites, further inspiring reverence for ancestors, clan unity, patriotism, and love for their hometown among the descendants of the Lin Clan.

Dalian Village: Located beside National Highway 205 in the western suburbs of Yong’an City, Dalian Village is 9 kilometers from the urban area, enjoying convenient transportation, smooth information flow, fertile land, and a hardworking population. The village comprises 8 villager groups, with 304 households and a population of 1,169, achieving a per capita income of 13,500 yuan. The total land area is 20,286 mu, including 1,951 mu of arable land and 17,125 mu of forest land. In agriculture, Dalian Village is a pollution-free green vegetable production base for Yong’an City, forming an agricultural industry dominated by the production of lettuce, edamame, chicken claw peppers, and corn. It has created and promoted models such as “beans–rice–lettuce”... More details about Dalian Village++