Tomb of Lu Xiangshan

Tomb of Lu Xiangshan

The Tomb of Lu Xiangshan is a Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tomb of Lu Xiangshan is located on Dongshan Ridge beside Qingtian Bridge in Lufang Village, Lufang Township, Jinxi County. Originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty and renovated in subsequent dynasties, it covers an area of 60 square meters. In 1957, the provincial government designated the tomb as a Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

In the fourth year of the Shaoshing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1193), after Lu Jiuyuan passed away, he was buried in his hometown at Dongshan Ridge beside Qingtian Bridge in Lufang Village. The tomb is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with an open view to the front, and is shaded by pine and bamboo trees, creating a serene and secluded atmosphere. The stone steps, terraced platforms, circular mound, and chair-shaped railing are all constructed from pebbles taken from the Qingtian Stream at the foot of the mountain, largely preserving their original appearance from the Song Dynasty. The tomb is a conical stone structure, with the base built from wide bluestone slabs, covering an area of 60 square meters. During the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1522–1566), an imperial decree led to the erection of a spirit way stele inscribed with “Tomb of the True Confucian Scholar.” This stele is now lost. In front of the tomb stands a Qing Dynasty stele from the Qianlong era, measuring 0.95 meters in height and 0.56 meters in width, inscribed with “Tomb of Lu Xiangshan, Literary Duke of the Song Dynasty,” as well as a stone stele erected during the Republican era, both of which are now partially damaged. At the foot of the mountain, there were originally subsidiary structures such as a “Sacrificial Hall” and a “Dismounting Pavilion,” which were commissioned during the Ming Dynasty. In 1957, the provincial government designated the tomb as a Jiangxi Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. In 1999, the Jinxi County Government renovated the site, adding a pair of memorial pillars and several new stone tablets. Next to the tomb are plaques introducing the life and philosophical thoughts of Master Xiangshan. There are also two stone pillars from the Ming Dynasty in front of the tomb, engraved with: “If learning grasps its root, the Six Classics are but annotations; if duties align with one’s role, all sages share the same heart.” These lines succinctly capture the essence of Xiangshan’s philosophy. At the very front of the tomb lies a marble protective marker inscribed with “Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit,” featuring dignified and solemn calligraphy.

Exemplar of “Practicing What One Preaches” – Lu Jiuyuan

Lu Jiuyuan (1139–1193), courtesy name Zijing, also known as Xiangshan and respectfully called Master Xiangshan by others, was referred to as “Lu the Master” by the people of Jingmen. Born in the second month of the ninth year of the Shaoxing era under Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty (April 1139) in Qingtianli, Yanfu Township, Jinxi County, Fuzhou, Jiangnan West Circuit (present-day Jinxi County, Fuzhou region, Jiangxi Province), he passed away in the twelfth month of the third year of the Shaoshing era under Emperor Guangzong (January 1193) while serving as the military governor of Jingmen Jun, Jingnan North Circuit (present-day Jingmen City, Hubei Province). A renowned Neo-Confucian scholar and educator of the Southern Song Dynasty, he was as famous as Zhu Xi and together they were known as “Zhu and... More details about Lu Jiuyuan++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units