The Su Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety

The Su Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety

The Su Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

The Su Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety was built in the 12th year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty (1807) and is located in Paifangliu Village, Dong’an Township, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Shangcai County. It lies to the north of the Xiao Shang River and about 5 kilometers east of the Dong’an Village Committee.

The entire archway is constructed from carved bluestone components, forming a towering structure. The lintel features a bas-relief of a phoenix facing the rising sun, while the lower part is inscribed in regular script with the text “Commemorating Madam Su, Wife of Liu Ziran, a Scholar of Humble Status, for Her Chastity and Filial Piety.” Below that, the decorative panel features a bas-relief of “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl.” The left stone pillar bears the couplet’s upper line: “A woman’s virtue upholds her husband’s deeds, her filial piety surpasses metal and stone,” while the right pillar’s lower line reads: “Her motherly example teaches through discipline, resolute as ice and frost.” The eastern and western sides are symmetrically adorned with carvings of mythical creatures such as qilin, deer, and other divine beasts. On the outer side pillars, there are intaglio carvings of figures wearing official hats, holding ceremonial tablets, and dressed in dragon robes—representing the stars of Fortune and Prosperity. The upper parts of the stone pillars are decorated with lotus patterns.

On the north side of the archway is a couplet. The upper line reads: “Twenty-two, seventy-three, a testament to heaven and earth,” and the lower line: “Double eight, single six, the heart of a sage.” The horizontal scroll reads: “The Su Family’s Chastity and Filial Piety.” This couplet reflects that Madam Su was 22 years old when her husband, “Scholar Liu Ziran,” passed away. She remained chaste, enduring hardship to dutifully care for her elderly in-laws and raise her young children, passing away peacefully at the age of 73. It is said that several of her sons later succeeded in the imperial examinations and entered government service, which became a widely told story of the time. Su’s devotion in her husband’s place, her filial care for her parents-in-law, and her dedication to raising her children reflect the values of loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and righteousness in feudal society, as well as one of the traditional virtues of the time. In June 2008, the Su Family Memorial Archway for Chastity and Filial Piety was designated as part of the fifth group of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Henan Province by the Henan Provincial People's Government.

Paifangliu Village: …… More information about Paifangliu Village++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Henan Province