The Ci Xiao Jian Wan Stone Archway

The Ci Xiao Jian Wan Stone Archway

The Ci Xiao Jian Wan Stone Archway is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Ci Xiao Jian Wan Stone Archway is located at the southern end of Hanlin Street in central Jining. It is a gatehouse-style, fully stone-constructed, three-tiered round openwork high-relief stone archway. Built in the 21st year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1756), it was an imperial "Chastity and Filial Piety Archway" commissioned to honor Sun, the wife of Wang Huaiyuan, who was posthumously granted the title of Attendant Magistrate. The second tier is named after the four characters "Ci Xiao Jian Wan" (Filial Piety and Benevolence Complete) inscribed there, penned by Shi Dalun, an official from the Ministry of Works. The archway combines various carving techniques such as relief carving, openwork, round carving, and line engraving. With its elegant form, rich content, fine craftsmanship, it holds significant artistic and cultural heritage value.

The Ci Xiao Jian Wan Stone Archway is located at the southern end of Hanlin Street in central Jining. It is a gatehouse-style, fully stone-constructed, three-tiered round openwork high-relief stone archway. Built in the 21st year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1756), it was an imperial "Chastity and Filial Piety Archway" commissioned to honor Sun, the wife of Wang Huaiyuan, who was posthumously granted the title of Attendant Magistrate. The second tier is named after the four characters "Ci Xiao Jian Wan" (Filial Piety and Benevolence Complete) inscribed there, penned by Shi Dalun, an official from the Ministry of Works. The stone archway features three bays and four pillars, spanning 8 meters in width and 2.7 meters in depth, standing 7 meters tall. The central bay has a single-eave roof, while the side bays each have double-eave roofs. All are supported by wooden-bracket-style corbels, with wind chimes hanging from the eaves. Each level’s ridge is designed to resemble tiled roofing. The uppermost level features a vertical plaque bordered by openwork coiled dragons, inscribed with “Imperial Edict.” Below the plaque lies a high-relief openwork stone slab carved with a design of two dragons playing with a pearl. The middle tier features a horizontal stone slab depicting three narrative scenes: “Drawing Water at the Well,” “Serving Her Elderly Mother,” and “Teaching Her Son to Read.” The third tier, below that, bears an inscription reading: “Erected in honor of Sun, the secondary wife of Wang Huaiyuan, posthumously bestowed the title of Gentlewoman, for her chastity and filial devotion. Constructed under the supervision of her son Jun, grandson Zhen, and supervised by the imperial scholar Shilong.” The four vertical stone pillars supporting the entire structure bear inscriptions on their front faces: “Three Chaste Women of Mount Taimu Stand Eternal, Nine Exemplary Women of History Shine Through Millennia,” and on their rear: “Bamboo-like Virtue Defies Frost Through Four Seasons, Wind and Cold Witness Three Generations’ Devotion.” The eight sides of the four pillars are adorned with eight round-carved stone lions securely fixed to the pillars and bases. The four central lions carry guards of varying appearances on their backs, while the two pairs of side lions include one pair of kissing lion cubs and one pair of ball-playing lions, each with distinct expressions. The roof ridge is also decorated with orderly rows of mythical creatures, animals, and birds.

The Jizhou Annals · Biographies of Exemplary Women, Volume 29, Qianlong Edition, records that Sun, wife of Wang Huaiyuan, became widowed in the 30th year of the Kangxi reign (1691). She remained chaste and raised their three sons to adulthood. In the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign (1735), local officials petitioned for her recognition, and in the 21st year of the Qianlong reign, she was honored with an imperial decree to build this archway.

The archway combines various carving techniques such as relief carving, openwork, round carving, and line engraving. With its elegant form, rich content, fine craftsmanship, it holds significant artistic and cultural heritage value. In 2006, it was listed by the provincial government as part of the third batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units. In May 2013, it was designated as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· First Batch of Jining Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units