Epitaph Inscriptions on the Cliff from the Jiwei Year of the Qingyuan Era

Qingyuan Jiwei Cliff Inscriptions

The Qingyuan Jiwei Cliff Inscriptions are a cultural relic protection unit of Hubei Province.

Qingyuan Jiwei Cliff Inscriptions

Located at the northern foot of Zhengjiashan Mountain on Shengli Street, Xiangcheng District, Xiangyang City, they were carved in the fifth year of the Qingyuan era (1199). The inscribed area measures 0.9 meters in height and 0.6 meters in width. The five rows of 33 characters are in regular script, carved in intaglio: “On the Cold Food Festival day of the Qingyuan Jiwei year, I led officers and soldiers to offer sacrifices to the fallen warriors in the open field of the Rock Pavilion. We burned wine and spirit money to complete the ceremony before departing. On the Qingming Festival, I returned with my family to gaze afar at the memorial trees and perform seasonal rites. Inscribed by Zhao Chun of Heyang.” Each character is about 0.05 meters square. These inscriptions are of reference value for the study of the Southern Song Dynasty’s resistance against the Jin invasion and related customs. (Third Batch)

Source: Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units