The Li Ancestral Hall of Wuzhaima

　　The Li Ancestral Hall of Wuzhaima is situated in Wuzhaima Township, Quannan County, Jiangxi Province, right next to the township government. We approached one of the side gates, where an elderly man surnamed Li unlocked it and warmly invited us inside. The main gate was tightly shut, with a massive “gate-supporting beam” wedged across the center. After opening the main gate and stepping onto the front courtyard, we viewed the structure from the outside in.

　　This “Li Ancestral Hall,” built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, covers an area of about 1,500 square meters, and its architectural style and structure are considered the finest among ancestral halls in the three counties of Longnan, Quannan, and Dingnan. The entire hall is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, featuring two inner courtyards, grey-tiled roofs, and walls adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. Protruding dragon heads are sculpted along the walls on both sides. The left and right side gates are inscribed with the seal script characters “Zongqin” (Clan Kin) and “Ju Xiang” (Residence of Auspiciousness), respectively. In front of the main gate stand two square stone pillars, each bearing a couplet. The upper couplet reads: “Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, upholding the teachings of Bo Yang, remembering the heritage without forgetting the Pillar Historian.” The lower couplet reads: “Embracing the beauty of the South Mountain and Peach River, honoring the loyal and martial legacy with a hall that forever shines in Central China.” It is said that this couplet was engraved during renovations in 1930. In front of the stone pillars are a pair of mischievous-looking stone lions with playful expressions. They are clearly male and female—the male lion’s exposed genitalia prompting amused smiles. This unique design was a first for me. Next to the gate stand two stone drums, symbolizing that the Li family once produced high-ranking officials. Hanging above the gate is a large plaque inscribed with “Li Ancestral Hall,” beneath which hangs a rectangular sign reading “Xiping Zhongwu Mansion.” Painted vividly above the main gate are statues of the generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, while the two smaller side gates each feature portraits of warrior figures. Looking up at the ceiling of the gateway, one finds not only diverse, rigorous structures and fine craftsmanship, but also a breathtaking array of life-like images—figures, flowers, birds, insects, dragons, and phoenixes—that are truly astounding. Especially notable are several paintings depicting a mother teaching her child with the child attentively listening—images so moving they leave a lasting impression.

　　Overall, the ancestral hall is filled with imagery emphasizing feminine symbols such as phoenixes and lotus flowers. According to an elderly local, the hall was built to honor Madam Yang, the matriarch of the Li family, for raising her children to become accomplished individuals. Historical records from Quannan County note that during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, members of the Li family—including Li Youyan, Li Youjiao, and Li Youmin—held official positions such as Prefect of Nantan, Vice Magistrate of Changde Prefecture, and Administrative Officer of Shaowu Prefecture, bringing honor to the Li lineage and becoming a source of pride for later generations.

　　Inside the ancestral hall, as we moved from the lower section to the middle, then to the upper level, we observed that the ten large stone pillars supporting the structure were each topped with exquisitely colorful carvings. The uppermost section, in particular, features not only various painted images, but also inscriptions of classical poems by notable members of the Li family, adding a rich cultural atmosphere. Another elderly man, aged 71, shared an amusing story from the Cultural Revolution: someone had set their sights on the two stone lions at the entrance and sent people to Wuzhaima to relocate them to the county seat of Quannan. However, no matter how hard they tried to lift them, the lions wouldn’t budge—an incident some attributed to divine protection. Later, speculation arose that the lions might have been structurally integrated with the underground foundation during construction, which would explain why they couldn’t be moved.

　　Having toured the entire Li Ancestral Hall, we couldn’t help but marvel at its rigorous structure, exquisite craftsmanship, graceful form, lifelike artwork, and remarkable state of preservation. At the same time, we felt deep admiration and comfort for the harmonious, family-oriented atmosphere cultivated by the local community. From the inscriptions hanging throughout the hall—such as “Ju Xiang” (Residence of Auspiciousness), “Zongqin” (Clan Kin), “Qinqin Changchang” (Kinship Lasts Generations), “Morality Lasts for Millennia,” and “Narrative Hall”—as well as the many paintings depicting a mother teaching her child and the child listening respectfully, one can feel the strong familial bonds within the Li family. Especially memorable were the warm, confident elders who greeted us and shared the hall’s history with genuine joy and pride—a sincere experience that remains unforgettable.