Beijue Mountain Village Archway

Beijue Mountain Village Archway

Beijue Mountain Village Archway is a Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Beijue Mountain Archway, located in Beijue Mountain Village, Yinzhuang Town, Lingbao City. The archway faces south and measures 2.8 meters in width, 1.9 meters in depth, and 6.75 meters in total height. It is constructed from brick carvings and consists of six tiers. In January 2016, it was included in the seventh batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Front side: The upper part features a circular brick carving band, with corner joints formed by tenon structures. Below the brick band are alternating sunflower and square ring patterns, beneath which are recessed brick carvings with string motif patterns. Below that are four suspended columns, with sunflowers, lotus flowers, and peonies arranged alternately between them. Further down is a brick-carved "prosperity without end" pattern. Beneath this are five sets of narrative figure carvings, from left to right: the first group depicts the Scholar Passing the Imperial Exams and Visiting the Pagoda; the second, Renouncing Office to Serve Mother; the third, Enjoying a Peaceful Old Age; the fourth and fifth groups are unclear. Below are antique-style patterns, then another set of four suspended columns with carved floral capitals and entwined floral designs between them. Further down is a carved plaque frame, with four corners of the frame featuring stylized bats, and the middle inscribed with four brick-carved characters “壸政流芳” (A Noble Legacy in Governance). On the west side of the plaque frame are brick carvings of a ceremonial tripod and an auspicious square vase. Below are two sets of relief carvings: the upper set shows the Vermilion Bird Announcing Good News; the lower, a semicircular relief of a crane standing on a lotus flower. Below that is a couplet: the upper line reads “Bamboo in the breeze casts but a shadow,” the lower line, “The evening lily, drenched by rain, leaves no fragrance.”

Back side: The topmost part features a circular brick carving band with tenon-structured corners. Below that is a recessed brick string pattern, under which are three sets of unclear floral brick carvings. Then come four suspended columns with floral designs between them, each column capital featuring carved ornamentation. In the mid-lower part is a square brick-framed panel inscribed with four characters “彤管杨庥” (Radiant Virtue Bestowed). On both sides of the plaque frame are two brick carvings: the left depicts “Heaven Bestows a Favor,” the right, a “Longevity Star” figure. Below the frame is an openwork horizontal lintel containing five sets of animal motifs from left to right: a qilin, a heavenly steed delivering treasure, a phoenix, an official achieving nobility while still mounted, and a deer. Below is a niche with an inscribed tablet; the upper part of the niche features a semicircular brick carving showing an upside-down peony flanked by two phoenixes perched on branches, centered on a peony blossom. On either side are brick-carved couplets, each topped with a sunflower. The couplet reads: “Dedication inspires youth, integrity completes a lifetime; Honors bestowed in edicts bless the noble couple.”

Side panels: The east and west sides are identical. The upper part features sunflowers of varying sizes. Below are five sets of unclear narrative figure carvings, then three suspended columns, followed by circular brick relief patterns. At the center is a large pine tree under which two deer stand grazing. The outer sections feature two bands of the “prosperity without end” brick carvings, encircled by five bats facing the center, forming a “Five Blessings Descend Upon the Home” motif.

The Beijue Mountain Archway has a definite construction date; built primarily with brick carvings using highly skilled techniques, its vivid and lifelike figures and animals represent a high point of brick carving craftsmanship in the Lingbao area and reflect the architectural technology of late Qing Dynasty Lingbao. It boasts strong local characteristics and is of great significance for the study of brick carving techniques and folk customs in western Henan during the Qing Dynasty.

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The Beijue Mountain Archway was built in the 14th year of the Guangxu reign (1888 AD) in memory of Lady Peng. Lady Peng’s son, Kang Duofu, styled Zhushan, lost his father at the age of three and was raised and educated by his mother, Lady Peng. Later, Kang Duofu passed the examination for the position of Prefectural Administrative Clerk — the principal officer in charge of documents and daily administrative affairs in the prefectural yamen — but for certain reasons never took up the post. Lady Peng lived to the age of 74. In her later years, she fell ill and became bedridden. Kang Duofu attended to her for three years until her passing. In the third year after her death (the 14th year of Guangxu), Kang Duofu built this archway as an eternal tribute to his mother.

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