The Ma Clan Ancestral Hall in Longyou Residential Complex, Zhejiang

Originally located in Maye Village, Zhanjia Town, Longyou County, the Ma Clan Ancestral Hall was first built in the 16th year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1643). Covering an area of 358 square meters, the hall resembles a courtyard-style layout, with the front section using larger timbers than the rear. The golden pillars have a diameter of 50 cm, giving the structure a grand appearance and a well-proportioned layout. Inside, there's a unique stage known as the "two-sided stage." One end faces Qu County, while the other faces the ancestral tablets towards Longyou, leading to the saying, "Standing in Qu County, watching a Longyou play." Mr. Yu Shaosong personally inscribed a couplet on the stage's pillars: "The former welcomes, the latter attends; this side finishes singing, that side takes the stage." Another couplet, recorded in the Ma Family Genealogy and inscribed on the front wall of the stage, reads: "The hall is full of idlers, arms folded, watching the play without knowing the hardship of performing; everything must have an end, starting from the beginning, getting on stage is easy, getting off is hard." The hall is a key cultural relic protection site in Zhejiang Province.

Post by VictoriaMcDermott99 | Mar 23, 2025