The traditional themes of Huizhou architectural carving “Culture of agriculture and scientific activity”

The article explores the traditional themes of Huizhou architectural carving, united by the common title “Culture of agriculture and scientific activity”. The plots are differentiated and have different names, such as: “Fishing, woodcutters job, agriculture and study”, “Four loves”, “The exam seeing off”, “Five children who have passed the exam”, “Parade of the first candidate”, “Palace of nine gifts” and others. Geographical, aesthetic, philosophical and moral aspects of the formation of these plots are presented. The interaction of work and learning has been developed in the region over the centuries, experiencing the direct and profound influence of Confucianism. Three life strategies are distinguished, three categories of people generated by the veneration of Confucian values and expressed in the subjects of architectural carvings. The values are as follows: day work in the field, reading books at night, restraint in relation to fame and fortune, lack of conflict, leniency towards people. The categories of people brought up by these values and represented in the reliefs are: the people who have received education but have not achieved success in public service; the educated hermits who do not seek to hold public office; enlightened people who are disillusioned with public service. During the analysis of the carvings’ themes, the following values were identified: daytime work in the fields, nighttime reading of books, restraint in relation to fame and wealth, absence of conflict, leniency towards people, as well as military and religious power, social authority and privileges, possession of a noble home, performance of palace rituals and knowledge of musical culture, longevity. Traditional plots are reproduced in modern society, which leads to the conclusion that the plots are deeply rooted in Chinese culture.

1. Chjen Bo Tao, (2011), “Patterns and cultural interpretation of images in building decorations in Huizhou during the Ming and Qing periods”, Akademicheskij mir, no. 5. pp. 159–165. (In Chinese).

2. Chjen Minshjen, (2020), “On the formation of the culture of «Agriculture and scientific activity» in the Song Dynasty”, Social’nye nauki, no. 6. pp. 93–102. (In Chinese).

3. Chzhou Chichjen, Pan’ Czin’jen’, (1995), “Confucian ideals of life and the lives of ancient Chinese intellectuals”, Zhurnal Juzhno-Kitajskogo pedagogicheskogo universiteta, no. 3. pp. 7–10. (In Chinese).

4. Czou, Djeshju (1996), “Culture of agriculture and teaching in China. History of agriculture in China”, Pekin, pp. 55–57. (In Chinese).

5. Fan Jun (2015), Moczy, Izdatel’stvo Chzhunhua, Pekin, 608 p. (In Chinese).

6. Hu Njan’van, (1999), Culture of ancient villages near the Nansejiang River, Izdatel’stvo kul’tury i iskusstva, Pekin, 312 p. (In Chinese).

7. Huan, Pomin (2021), Translation of “Lun Yu”, Izda tel’stvo literatury i iskusstva provincii An’hoj, Hjefjej, 299 р. (In Chinese).

8. Hujej, H. (2023), “Portraits of ancestors from Huizhou of the Ming and Qing dynasties”, ARTE, no. 1. pp. 75–83 (In Russ).

9. Jan, T., Mitasova, S.A. (2023), “Factors in the Origin and Development of Huizhou Architectural Carving”, Kul’tura i civilizacija, vol. 13, no. 8–1. pp. 167–176 (In Russ).

10. Jao, Banczao, (2000), Introduction to the Study of Huizhou, Izdatel’stvo obshhestvennyh nauk Kitaja, Pekin, 280 p. (In Chinese).

11. Kobzev, A. I. (2022), “Chzhou Dun’I”, Bol’shaya rossiiskaya entsiklopediya [Great Russian Encyclopedia], Availble at: https://bigenc.ru/c/chzhou-dun-i-1fc09d (Accessed 24 January 2025) (In Russ).

12. Lao-czy (2022), A book about truth and power, Jeksmo, Moscow, 480 p. (In Russ).

13. Li, Lin’ci, (2003), Huishan and the formation of the Ming and Qing dynasties, Izdatel’stvo obrazovanija provincii Hubjej, Uhan, 296 p. (In Chinese)