Fu'an Huang Clan Ancestral Hall

Fu'an Huang Clan Ancestral Hall

The Fu'an Huang Clan Ancestral Hall is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Huang Clan Ancestral Hall is located in Yangtou. It was originally built during the Song Dynasty and rebuilt in the eighth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1580 AD). In the thirteenth year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, it was destroyed by fire, leaving only the rear section. In the thirty-third year of the Kangxi era (1694 AD), it was reconstructed in the style of Ming architecture. In the sixteenth year of the Qianlong era, it was flooded, and then renovated again in the thirty-third year of the Qianlong era. The current structure is a Qing-era imitation of Ming architecture, making it a rare and valuable cultural heritage.

The ancestral hall faces east and covers an area of 2,516 square meters. From east to west, it consists of a stone memorial archway (now gone), a ceremonial gate (only the northern end remains), an ancient well from the Northern Song Dynasty, a crescent-shaped pool, a screen wall, the main gate of the ancestral hall, a stage, the main hall, the ancestral shrine, and the rear courtyard. The building features a brick-and-wood structure, single-eave, double-sloped roof, enclosed by horse-head walls and corridor rooms, forming a unique architectural style.

The ancestral hall is divided into three sections, with a depth of 57.3 meters and a width of 18 meters. The stage's roof is topped with a pavilion-style tower, featuring flying tiles and double eaves that exude grandeur. Fourteen large pillars stand in two rows inside the hall, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, creating a magnificent golden interior. The skywell and rain shelter between the main hall and the ancestral shrine are uniquely designed, representing top-tier work among Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. At the center of the ancestral shrine is the altar of the founding ancestor, while side corridors house altars for various branch ancestors. Behind the shrine lies a courtyard, with sacrificial rooms on the southern side.

The construction of the ancestral hall features exquisite craftsmanship, with extensive use of wood carvings and painted decorations. The floral, bird, and human figures are vivid and lifelike. Couplets and plaques abound, all showcasing profound traditional cultural significance. Some of the plaques and cultural relics were once displayed in Taiwan at the Cross-Strait Family Genealogy Exhibition, earning widespread acclaim.

On October 7, 2019, the Fu'an Huang Clan Ancestral Hall was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units