Huanglong Stone Archway

Huanglong Stone Archway

The Huanglong Stone Archway is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

The Huanglong Stone Archway is situated in Mingshui Village, six kilometers east of the township government seat. It is two zhang four chi (around 8 meters) tall and one zhang eight chi (around 6 meters) wide. The entire building adopts a three-bay, three-story architectural style. The base level consists of four pillars and three openings. The middle gate is five chi five cun wide, and the side gates are each three chi wide. Except for the inner faces, the stone pillars are flanked on all sides by three-chi linked stone drums. On top of the drums, stone elephants and stone lions are carved in intaglio, integrating the pillars and drums as one. The second and third levels are both structured like towers. The eaves are sharply upturned with precisely carved stone roof tiles and clearly defined grooves. The top measures one zhang three chi five cun (approximately 4.5 meters) in width and four chi five cun (approximately 1.5 meters) in thickness. At the very center of the top, there is a three-chi square stone cap engraved with the character "Shou" (Longevity), giving the archway an imposing and solemn presence.

The inscriptions and patterns on both sides of the archway are largely consistent. Each side features a horizontal plaque measuring four chi high and two chi wide at the top. The central characters in regular script read “Imperial Decree Honors and Commends” (圣旨旌表), each about one chi square. The upper section reads “By Imperial Order, Sichuan Provincial Education Commissioner, Hanlin Academy,” while the lower section reads “Submitted Report.” On either side are matched poetic couplets: on the east side, the upper line is “A Heart as Pure as Ice Remains” (冰心宛在), and the lower line “A Firm Virtue Stands Awe-Inspiring” (介节凛然); on the west side, the upper line is “His Person Like Jade” (其人如玉), the lower line “A Vow Redeemed in Gold” (矢志酬金). Below those is the main text of the archway:

For the chaste widow Lady Wang, wife of Liu Zhongxinren from this locality, who pledged her chastity in youth and kept her vow into old age. Her virtue is truly as stern as frost and ice, her integrity as firm as metal and stone. Thus, witnessed and heard by many, she is hereby commemorated for posterity: Confucian scholar Zhong Wanpin’s wife, mother of Ladies Wang, Zhang, and Xu, grandmother of Confucian student Zhong Huiyin, great-grandson Weicheng and adopted grandson Xu, bestowed by Liu Rende.

Inscribed by cousin Zhong Yushi, a Xiangsheng scholar of Zhaohua County.

Crafted by cousin Zhong Wangong, apprentice Zhong Wanxiang, and Liu Wangqi.

Erected in the ninth year of the Tongzhi reign era, in the Geng year, first month of winter, lower wash. The above text offers a relatively detailed account of the reasons, individuals, and time related to the erection of the archway. On the side beams under the main text are inscribed the words “Pure as Ice” (冰清) and “Clear as Jade” (玉洁). The calligraphy throughout the archway is vigorous and graceful, reflecting the high skill of both the inscriber and the stonemasons.

The entire archway is constructed with 195 pieces of stone, large and small. The larger stones weigh several tons, while even the smaller ones weigh dozens of kilograms. The structure is tightly interlocked with exquisitely fine craftsmanship, forming a seamless whole. The seams of human joinery are barely visible. All carvings of figures, birds or beasts, and floral designs are rendered naturally and fluidly, vividly lifelike, with almost no trace of chisel marks on their forms. Their craftsmanship exhibits considerable artistic and aesthetic value.

In addition, growing right next to the archway is an ancient cypress tree that takes two people to encircle. It stands several zhang tall (around 10+ meters), with a straight, round trunk free of any scars. More than three zhang above the ground (over 10 meters), its branches spread outward, lush and verdant, resembling a grand canopy sheltering the archway. When the morning sun rises and its golden rays shine forth, the view from afar resembles an emperor riding in a chariot drawn by the sun, arriving from the horizon — a truly spectacular sight.

Strolling beneath the archway, admiring its exquisite architecture, contemplating its deep meaning, and reflecting on the truths of life, one cannot help but be filled with emotion and feel a sense of spiritual elevation. The People's Government of Yuanba District designated it as a district (county)-level cultural relic protection unit on August 25, 1997.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units