Legend, jstars courtyard, couplets
Recently, we introduced the topic of family rules of Qiao's courtyard, which attracted the attention of readers and friends.
In order to decipher the success of this leading figure of Shanxi merchants for more than 200 years, besides the Qiao family rules, we can also look at the plaques and couplets scattered in the Qiao family courtyard.
In this famous house, plaques and couplets form a profound "landscape". They are a combination of literature, calligraphy, sculpture and decorative arts, which have profound implications and rich connotations, and contain the moral ambition and life interest of the owner of the house to cultivate self-cultivation, manage the family and do business. Its humanistic charm shines so far that people who come to watch the game are edified and enlightened when they enter and leave the stadium.
Let's take a look.
1 door
Future generations will be great.
Jia mu zhi Fei brothers
This pair of copper couplets is embedded in the gate of nave's Qiao family. This is a couplet written by Li Hongzhang, an important official in the late Qing Dynasty, which means that children and grandchildren are talented and their families are prosperous. Only when brothers live in harmony can families flourish. As the old saying goes, "Everything prospers at home", which contains the traditional concept of "harmony is precious" in China, such as harmony, tolerance and generosity.
2 Bai Shou Tu Zhao Bi
The desire to hurt others and restore justice for others.
Virtue article
On both sides of Qiao's "Hundred Days Map" opposite the gate of nave, there are couplets inscribed by Zuo Wei, the minister of military and political affairs in the late Qing Dynasty, which means to reduce personal desires, restore human nature and conform to heaven; Only by saving and cultivating morality can we conform to the law of rites and music and social norms.
3. Exterior wall of the compound
The economy will be constrained.
The words are steadily engraved.
Couplets are engraved on both sides of the main hall gate, which means that when doing business or doing business with people, the behavior should abide by social morality, integrity and norms; When talking with people, people should feel at ease, speak without modification, and be sincere and realistic.
Four-door attic
Walk in harmony
This plaque hangs in the attic at the entrance of the nave. "Walking in the middle" is to be impartial, that is, to follow the golden mean. "Harmony without difference" refers to treating others peacefully and sincerely. The plaque means adhering to the doctrine of the mean, attaching importance to harmony and modesty. The name of the owner of the house, Qiao Zhiyong, and the name of the hall, Zainave, both mean the Confucian core idea of "the golden mean" and "the best of both worlds". The Qiao family ruled the family by this, paying attention to loyalty and harmony, being fair and comfortable in people's hearts, and being harmonious but different.
5 dong building yuan
Virtue is her own reward.
This plaque is hung on the second floor of the Drum Tower. The four seal characters are simple and elegant. It warns future generations not to care only about their own interests, but to accumulate virtue and do good deeds and help others. This is also the ideological source of Qiao's generosity and love for generations. The Qiao family's feelings of home and country have won the respect of the general public.
6 Fanghui private school
There is a plaque hanging in the main hall of Joe's private school. It is carved into a lotus leaf shape with a whole piece of wood, with vivid image, originality and exquisite calligraphy. It is a masterpiece of woodcarving plaque in the courtyard. It is in harmony with the classical gatehouse architecture, expressing the intention of Master Joe to welcome Si Qi and gather talents.
7 private colleges
Broad-minded, frank and generous, blessed and well-off.
Gentle and peaceful, you will prosper over time.
This pair of couplets is hung at the main entrance of Joe's private school, which means that generosity and openness will bring good fortune and wealth; Treat people with gentle and peaceful temperament, and over time, the younger generation will prosper. The association fully embodies the Confucian ideas of self-cultivation and family management.
8 Ming Lou Yuan Yi Jinyuan
There is a saying in the family heirloom, but it is only thick.
Nothing strange, just frankness.
This couplet is hung in the courtyard of the Ming building, implying that only the accumulation of virtue is the real way to inherit the family business. There is no strange way of life in the world, as long as you follow the nature of frankness and sincerity. Qiao's family attaches importance to friendship, speaks sincerely, does not cheat or cheat, and speaks out bravely. Honesty gathers popularity, pays attention to virtue and gathers financial resources, and simple couplets point out the master's family heirloom and life style.
Sanyuan Jinyuan No.9 Ming building
Poetry is my cultivator.
Hobbies and customs are sour and salty.
This couplet was written by Zhao Chang, a famous calligrapher in modern times, and hung on the screen door of Sanjinyuan in Gulou. The first couplet comes from Su Shi's Another Answer to Two Wanderers and Wang Lang's Peace. The second part is Han Yu's Appreciating Four Brothers, Dean Yunfu and Poems by Wang in the Tang Dynasty. Twill: Moldy and germinated grain used for making wine, also called wine for short. Couplets mean that poetry books are like cultivators who make wine to increase my knowledge; Have hobbies different from the secular, cultivate elegant taste.
10 Qiaojia Ancestral Temple
A hundred years ago, Yan Yi was just Xiu De.
Wan is studying.
This couplet is hung on the gate of Qiao's ancestral hall. Yan Yi: From the Book of Songs: "I lost and took the swallow." Metaphor ancestors are good at planning for future generations. Pengcheng: According to legend, in ancient times, Pengniao evolved from a big fish named Kun, which could fly over Wan Li like a whirlwind. It was later said that the future was very promising. Couplets mean that ancestors protect their descendants and plan a bright future for them, only by diligent practice of virtue; Children and grandchildren inherit and carry forward their ancestors' business, can follow their ancestors' business, have great prospects, and concentrate on their studies.
1 1 Dexing Tang North Yard
Honesty, honesty and peace of mind.
After poetry and calligraphy started, frugality was handed down from generation to generation.
Couplets are hung in the north courtyard of Qiaojia Dexing Hall, which means loyalty, kindness, self-cultivation and leisurely rest. Teach the younger generation with poetry books and regard thrift as a family virtue. If you want to gain a foothold in society and achieve your career, you must pay attention to your self-cultivation, take the right path and do good deeds. To educate and edify the younger generation with the etiquette of poetry and calligraphy and the example of words and deeds will naturally form a correct, kind, honest, diligent and elegant family style, which can be passed down from generation to generation.
12 Jacky senanen
Reading is not fame, after all, the character is elegant.
Xiude unexpectedly gained natural dreams and inner peace.
Couplets are hung on the gate of the main courtyard of Sainaning in the nave. It means that even if you are not famous, you will have elegant speech and morality; Do good deeds, accumulate virtue, ask for nothing in return, naturally feel at ease and sleep soundly. The ancients believed that only by cultivating character with poetry and songs, nourishing the soul with knowledge and cultivating children who know books and righteousness can the family business succeed.
13 Ming Lou San Yuan Jin Yuan
Don't make mistakes.
It is advisable to contend with the ancients in order to survive.
This pair of couplets was written by He, a calligrapher in Qing Dynasty, and hung on the screen door of Sanjin Courtyard of Minglou Courtyard, implying that it would not violate the laws of nature and society and compete with the ancients in the world. Only by internalizing the natural laws such as kindness, benevolence, faith and righteousness into daily life and truly practicing them can the virtues of ancient sages be carried forward and passed on.