Cliff Inscriptions on Die Shi Mountain

Cliff Inscriptions on Die Shi Mountain

The Die Shi Mountain cliff inscriptions are a Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Die Shi Mountain cliff inscription cluster is located in the northwest of Hepu District, with over 20 surviving cliff inscriptions. The main ones include:

“Oh, truly remarkable！ The master’s knowledge spanned the heavens and encompassed the celestial patterns, delving deeply into the River Chart and Luo Writing, grasping their essence. The Dragon Horse Diagram truly originates from numerical principles; his refined words are most incisive, his righteousness elevating literature, elucidating profound mysteries. Even now, his writings are truly worthy of deep study. As for my own blurred vision, I am about to engage in research.”

Signed: “Qianlong Twenty-Eighth Year (1763), Panyu Scholar Cao Daqian,” “The master’s surname was Chen, given name Yingyou, courtesy name Shiai, also known as Shiquan. He was born at the hour of Xu on the sixth day of the twelfth month of the fifteenth year of Kangxi (1676), and was a government-supported scholar at the Chaoyang School. He was filial, friendly, and erudite. In the fourth year of Qianlong (1739), he built a study here, dedicated to writing ‘Elaborations on the Book of Changes.’ In the seventeenth year of Qianlong (1752), the book was completed. He passed away on the hour of Wei on the eighteenth day of the eighth month. He instructed that the River Chart and praise be engraved on this stone. The praise for the master reads: The numbers of heaven and earth are fifty-five; the images of heaven and earth are divided into odd and even. The Dragon Horse emerging from the river, the numbers reveal the sage. Thus the way of the sage shines forth, great indeed through the Three Ancient Dynasties. This writing, the sages all revered as their ancestor.

Qianlong Thirty-Eighth Year (1773), mid-summer, third year of the Ji Si reign, top scholar of the Bing Chen imperial examination, younger brother Tai Nian of Dongxi engraved. Selected tribute graduate of the Yi You imperial examination, nephew Fan of Meilin wrote.”

“Boundless Sea and Sky.” Signed: “Qianlong Ji Si (1773), Chen Tainian.” “Nine-Turn Path” (large characters). Signed: “Qianlong Ji Si, Chen Tainian.” “Tiger’s Den” (large characters). Signed: “Qianlong Wu Shen (1788), written by Changsha Jichen, engraved by Meilin Chen Fan.” Within the study cave (mountain cave) of Chen Yingyou, there are three cliff inscriptions:

“Building caves in the time of Emperor Yao brought harmony among the people; ancient kings dug caves to establish the Zhou family.” Dated: “Day of Xin Hai, Qianlong Year of Xin Hai (1791).” “Windows face the tides connecting Hao Port; the rugged path leads to the tomb cliff.” Signed: “Hun of Haoshan inscribed on the cave of Shicheng Mountain, fourth month of the year of Ding Mao (1807), late summer.” “Long days cooling off under the rocks, opening books and chanting to admire the ancient ways, ... nights awakened by roosters, quiet breath, carefully pondering yet not enlightened.” Large characters on a huge rock at the small cave entrance: “Spiral Shell” Signed: “Xie Rushi of Taoyuan County, Wuling.” Inscription at the cave entrance: “Mountain birds do not enter the cage; stone lions and elephants face the flowing eastward stream.” In front of the cave: “Pine trees along the path reach the Han dynasty’s solemnity, bamboo groves hide mist in the profound commerce;” “Longevity,” “Secluded Stream Spring,” “Ancient Pine and Dancing Crane,” and within the small cave: “Spring Ancestor,” “Scholar’s Rock,” none of which bear signatures.

Hebei Community: Hebei Community is located on the northwest side of Haojiang District and is under the jurisdiction of Hepu Subdistrict Office of Haojiang District. The community covers an area of approximately 10 square kilometers, with current arable land of more than 2,000 mu, mountainous land of more than 6,000 mu, and aquaculture ponds of more than 500 mu. The total population of the community is 10,027, with 1,833 households, including 206 residents with non-agricultural hukou and 9,821 with agricultural hukou. Hebei Community is divided into 6 management zones, with 6 party subgroups. The Party branch currently has 153 members, and the community neighborhood committee has 32 staff members, including 7 Party branch committee members and 5 neighborhood committee members... More detailed information about Hebei Community++

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units