The Lu Family Cemetery in Daqin Village

The Lu Family Cemetery in Daqin Village

The Lu Family Cemetery in Daqin Village is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shandong.

The Lu Family Cemetery in Daqin Village is located in Daqin Village, Zhangjiawa Subdistrict. It dates back to the Qing Dynasty. In 2013, it was designated as part of the fourth batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units by the People's Government of Shandong Province.

To the west of Daqin Village, there is a tree-shaded garden with a small stream known by villagers as the river ditch in front of it. In the garden stands an ancient yellow cinnamon tree with a canopy like an umbrella, lush branches, and a shade covering about half an acre. Beside the yellow cinnamon tree is the ancestral burial ground of the Lu family, where six stone tablets stand in a row at the front, commonly referred to as dragon-head steles. The first one belongs to the second-generation ancestor of the Lu family, while the others are dedicated to the five branches of the third-generation ancestors. Since many members of the Lu family held official positions, their ancestral burial ground is also called the Officials’ Cemetery. Not far north of the six steles lies the tomb of the founding ancestor, which was later renovated after its original stele was damaged.

All six steles were erected in the 30th year of the Daoguang reign. By then, the Lu family had begun to prosper. Later, the descendants of Lu Chuan’gao relocated their section of the cemetery to the north of the village, known as the North Cemetery. Lu Xianrui, who reached the official rank of Third Grade, was also buried in the North Cemetery. At that time, the spirit way in the North Cemetery was solemn and majestic, and the tombs were built to very high standards. Unfortunately, they were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

The ancestors of the Lu family migrated to Laiwu during the Ming Dynasty, and it wasn’t until the Qianlong era that the family produced its first successful candidate in the imperial examinations at the provincial level (Juren). It can be said that the Lu family’s fortunes only took a turn for the better after persistent effort. After the family became prominent, they established schools and emphasized education, leading to a succession of family members passing the highest level of imperial exams (Jinshi) and many achieving the Juren degree, enabling the family to maintain long-term prosperity. The development of a nation or country, just like that of a family, cannot be short-sighted but must consider the long term to achieve lasting stability and peace.

Daqin Village: Daqin Village is located 5 kilometers north of Laiwu City and approximately 2 kilometers southwest of Zhangjiawa Subdistrict Office. It sits on a hilly area, with 2,530 mu of arable land, 620 households, and a population of 2,600. The old Lai-Ming Highway runs through the village, with the Ring Road to the south and Laiwu West Railway Station nearby, making transportation well-developed.

According to the Lu Family Genealogy, in the third year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, the Lu family migrated from Qianshui Village in Laizhou to establish the village. The Jiayi Gazetteer of Laiwu County records that the village was originally named Qin Village. After the Lu family moved in, they found the name unrefined and, due to the wild celery growing densely to the west of the village, renamed it Qin Village (Celery Village). During the People’s Commune period, to avoid duplication of names, it was renamed Daqin Village (also known as Lu Family Celery Village).

… More details about Daqin Village ++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Shandong