The Tomb of Tang Yuanfu and His Wife

The Tomb of Tang Yuanfu and His Wife

The Tomb of Tang Yuanfu and His Wife is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The Tomb of Tang Yuanfu and His Wife is located in Hongjing Village, Shiqishizhen Town, Dong’an County, Hunan Province. It lies approximately 21 kilometers northwest of the county seat. In 2002, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Hunan Province.

The Tomb of Tang Yuanfu and His Wife was built in the 21st year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1895), formed by the joint burial of Tang Yuanfu’s tomb with those of his first wife, Madam Xu, and third wife, Madam Ding, in separate but adjacent chambers. This tomb complex features three notable highlights: First, its grand scale — the entire tomb garden covers an area of 600 square meters. Second, it unites both the principal and secondary wives in the same burial ground, with three tombs sharing one site. Tang Yuanfu’s tomb is at the center, flanked on the left by that of his principal wife, Madam Xu, and on the right by that of his third wife, Madam Ding. Each tomb is enclosed within its own perimeter wall, relatively independent. This arrangement of placing the legitimate and concubine wives side by side clearly deviates from conventional feudal rites, and is seen as a unique reflection of Madam Ding’s special status within the family, as attested by her epitaph: “Her talent rivals that of poetic verse, her virtue fragrant as orchid blooms; she attended to elders and meals, bringing harmony to all sisters.” Third, there is a profusion of exquisitely crafted stone carvings and sculptures. The memorial archway, passageway, garden walls, and tomb enclosures are all constructed from meticulously carved granite. Stone figures and beasts stand in rows along the passageway, while square pillars and stone railings are inlaid with relief-carved stone screens of varied themes. The tops of the pillars feature dynamic sculptures, and the horizontal railings are all designed in the shape of tiled ridges, with semi-circular tomb enclosures. The enclosures are adorned with carvings of human figures, flowers, animals, as well as elegiac writings and couplets inscribed by notable individuals. Behind the main burial mound stand three stone stelae — one primary and two auxiliary — each bearing distinct calligraphy styles. The main stele of Tang Yuanfu’s tomb bears the horizontal inscription “Rank of Minister,” and the vertical text reads: “Tomb of Tang Yuanfu, Imperial Qing Dynasty’s Appointed General of the Army, Duke of Guanglu, Former Commander of the Guangdong Land Forces, Posthumously Honored with the Title of Minister of War.” The accompanying elegiac couplets read: “A tiger-like general of renowned fame, whose merits are recorded in history; a dragon-like radiance of great majesty, enhancing the solemnity of the pine and cypress.” The calligraphy is exceptionally refined. Within the tomb enclosure, there are 11 extant stone tablets inscribed with calligraphy, providing valuable material evidence for research in modern historiography and calligraphic art.

Tang Renlian (1834–1895), courtesy name Yuanfu, also known as Lai Zhi, was a native of Hongjing Village, Shiqishizhen Town, Dong’an County. He was nicknamed “Tang the Scabby.” Known for his unruly behavior, he was once subjected to the brutal punishment of being drowned in a pond by his father, but survived and was spared through someone else's intervention. He later joined the military, achieved remarkable feats, rose to the rank of Commander of the Guangdong Land Forces, was granted the titles of Duke of Guanglu and Minister of Guanglu, and posthumously honored as Minister of War.

This tomb has been nominated as a candidate for National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

Source: Overview of Cultural Relics in Hunan

Hongjing Village: Hongjing Village…… More details about Hongjing Village++