The Lan Kejin Ancestral Hall

Lan Kejin Ancestral Hall

The Lan Kejin Ancestral Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

Jinzhu has many ancient ancestral halls, the most famous being the Lan Kejin Ancestral Hall in Liushe She Ethnic Village. It is also one of the best-preserved ancient She ethnic buildings discovered in Jiangxi Province to date. The main hall of the Lan Kejin Ancestral Hall faces south and sits north, backed by mountains and fronted by water, covering an area of approximately 340 square meters, and consists of two courtyards and a central skywell. The main structure of the building is constructed with pebbles and mixed soil, featuring distinct ethnic characteristics related to totem worship, and has now become an exhibition hall for She ethnic culture.

The main hall of the Lan Ancestral Hall faces south and sits north, backed by mountains and fronted by water, covering an area of approximately 340 square meters and consisting of two courtyards and a central skywell. The main structure is built with pebbles and mixed soil, exuding splendor and exquisite craftsmanship, with distinct ethnic features of totem worship. In front of the main hall is a skywell, in the center of which stands a unique stone altar table used by the She people for heaven worshiping ceremonies. The table is 1.28 meters high and made from strip granite. The rear hall of the Lan Ancestral Hall serves as a worship hall. The altar table in the worship hall is highly characteristic of She ethnic culture, featuring a tabletop that has an additional angled layer compared to Han-style tables. The edges of the table curl upwards resembling animal horns, symbolizing animal totem worship. Additionally, the main wall of the rear hall is adorned with eight colorful murals depicting the Eight Immortals; the door of the rear hall is carved with various flowers and animals, with clear patterns expressing the She people's wishes and aspirations for a better life.

According to research, the ancestral hall was newly built in the year Renyin of the Daoguang era (1842), rebuilt in the year Renyin of the Tongzhi era (1866), and completed in the year Wuchen of the Tongzhi era (1868). In the tenth year of the Guangxu era (1884), Lan Zhenkui erected a memorial stele. After his son, Lan Kejin, achieved the status of a successful imperial examination candidate (Jinshi), the She people renamed the hall in his honor to commemorate him. The couplet on the main gate of the ancestral hall reads: "Scholarly ranks rival those before, ordinary men witness the valor of sons; the pursuit of learning continues for later generations, diligent study of prosperous-era literature." This expresses the heartfelt respect of the She people of Le’an for Lan Kejin, the first Jinshi scholar among the She people of Le’an. This She ethnic building boasts strong ethnic characteristics and holds unique evidential value for the study of She ethnic history, culture, customs, and way of life.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Jiangxi Province