The Lin Clan Ancestral Temple in Chao’an

The Lin Clan Ancestral Temple in Chao’an

The Lin Clan Ancestral Temple in Chao’an is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Lin Clan Ancestral Temple is located in Baolong Village, Ancun Town, Chao’an County, commonly known as the Green Window Ancestral Hall. It was first built in the 25th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1597) as a two-courtyard structure. In the 5th year of the Tianqi era (1625), Lin Xichun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, expanded the rear section, transforming it into a three-courtyard layout.

The temple faces north and sits south, with a total width of 48.3 meters and a total depth of 37.4 meters. About 10 meters in front of the temple stands a memorial archway, a four-pillar, three-bay brick-and-stone structure. The central plaque reads “Shide En Guang” (Light of Virtuous Merit); the left plaque reads “Lun Bao Shuo Ru” (Eulogy for Eminent Scholars), inscribed with “Bestowed by Dai Yao, Grand Secretary of the Ministry of War, Governor-General of Liangguang, and Crown Prince’s Tutor,” for Lin Xichun, who was granted the title of Wenlin Lang and appointed magistrate of Jiangle County, Yanping Prefecture; the right plaque reads “Qing Suo Zhi Chen” (Loyal Court Official), inscribed with “Granted by Zhang Minggang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Governor-General of Liangguang,” for Lin Xichun, who was awarded the title of Supervisor of the Ministry of Works. About 16 meters in front of the archway is a batik-painted qilin (mythical beast) screen wall.

The middle hall of the temple preserves an imperial decree from the first year of the Tianqi era (1621), conferring the titles of “Yiren” (Respectable Lady) and “Gongren” (Honorable Lady) upon Lin Xichun’s wives. The wooden plaque is 5.9 meters long, 1.26 meters high, and 6 centimeters thick, featuring green lacquer background with gold-leafed regular script.

Baolong Village: Baolong Village…… More details about Baolong Village++