The Cangjie Mausoleum Site

The Cangjie Mausoleum Site

The Cangjie Mausoleum Site is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site protected by Henan Province.

The Cangjie Mausoleum Site is located in Wucun, Liangcun Township, Nanle County. The site features temples and several stone steles. An inscription from the seventh year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1627) states that the worship of Cangjie “has never ceased since the Han and Tang dynasties,” indicating that temple and mausoleum structures had already existed here since those ancient times. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the mausoleum and temples underwent large-scale renovations and expansions. Today, only two square steles from the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty remain, inscribed on their front sides with “Ancestor of the Three Teachings” and “Forefather of All Sages,” respectively authored by Li Congxin, Minister of Works of the Ming Dynasty, and Li Yangzheng, Minister of Justice. There are also two stone pillars at the front eaves of the Hall of Worship, carved with patterns of dragons playing with a pearl and the transformation of fish into dragons. The front side of the pillars is engraved with a couplet: “Admired by countless kings, he unified the world through knotted cords; revered by all sages, his written script brought order to the universe.”

The Cangjie Mausoleum is built upon an ancient cultural site, situated on a terrace along the ancient Fánshuǐ River, covering an area of approximately 4,000 square meters. Archaeological drilling has revealed underground layers from the Han Dynasty as well as the Longshan and Yangshao cultures, clearly demonstrating that this area was a settlement of early humans in ancient times.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Heritage Sites Protected by Henan Province