Stele on the Spirit Way of Ma Wencuo

Stele on the Spirit Way of Ma Wencuo

The Stele on the Spirit Way of Ma Wencuo is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

The Stele on the Spirit Way of Ma Wencuo was erected in the sixth year of the Tianfu era of the Later Jin Dynasty (941 AD). It was originally located west of Sizhuang Village in Daming County and was later moved to the Daming County Stone Carving Museum. Made of bluestone, the stele features an integrated head and body, with the original base now lost. It currently stands 3.40 meters tall, 1 meter wide, and 0.36 meters thick, and is a dragon-headed stele. The stele head is 1.17 meters high, 1 meter wide, and 0.36 meters thick. The front of the stele head bears a seal script inscription in three rows of four characters reading “Stele on the Spirit Way of the Late Great Jin’s Honored Secretary Ma Gong.” The main body of the stele features running script inscribed on the front, consisting of over 3,390 characters. It was composed by Jia Wei under the order of Emperor Gaozu of the Jin Dynasty, Shi Jingtang, in honor of Ma Wencuo, and carved and erected by Gao Tingju. The text primarily records Ma Wencuo’s life, family background, and the titles and honors conferred by the Great Jin Dynasty upon his descendants. The calligraphy flows like clouds and water, showcasing significant artistic value. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

Ma Wencuo was a native of Yuancheng (present-day Daming), a military officer from Wei Commandery during the late Tang Dynasty. He successively held the positions of Golden Purple Light Duke, Imperial Censorate Academician, and Left Vice Director of the Chancellery. In the second year of the Tianyou era of the Tang Dynasty (905 AD), he was killed during a mutiny. His eldest son, Ma Quanjie, surrendered to the Later Jin, while his second and third sons, along with two sons of Ma Quanjie, subsequently held important positions in the Later Jin. Emperor Gaozu of the Jin Dynasty, Shi Jingtang, posthumously awarded Ma Wencuo the position of Secretary Supervisor and ordered Jia Wei and others to erect this spirit way stele in 941 AD as a mark of respect, to comfort and encourage his descendants.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province