Level classification of cemeteries
The Tang Dynasty Emperor Tomb Area is located in the northern part of the Guanzhong Basin and the mountainous areas of Qian County, Liquan, Jingyang, Sanyuan, Fuping and Pucheng on the north bank of the Weishui River in Shaanxi Province, stretching for more than 300 miles from east to west. The characteristic of Tang tombs is that they are "mountain-based mausoleums". Unlike the tombs of the Qin and Han dynasties, which were artificially constructed high tombs with rammed earth, they were the first of "mountain mausoleums". Among the eighteen Tang tombs, only Xianling, Zhuangling, and Duanling are located in the plains. The rest are built on natural hills by using natural hills and being built under the peaks of the mountains. They are condescending, forming a situation of "standing in the south and facing in the north".
Starting from the Yong'an Mausoleum of Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin's father and ending with the Yongtai Mausoleum of Zhe Zong Zhao Xu, there are eight tombs, concentrated on the platform on the south bank of Luohe River in Gong County, Henan. The mausoleum area is centered on Zhitian Town, within a distance of only ten kilometers, forming a rather large mausoleum area. The capital of the Northern Song Dynasty was Kaifeng, but the mausoleum area was located in Gong County, far away from the capital Bianjing. The main reason was that the scenery here was beautiful, the soil was good, and the water level was low, making it suitable for digging tombs and rich burials. The mausoleum area has Songyue Shaoshi in the south and the natural danger of the Yellow River in the north. It can be said that "the head rests on the Yellow River and the feet stand on Mount Song". It is regarded by Feng Shui experts as an auspicious place with "high mountains and high waters".
The imperial tombs of the Song Dynasty were very different from those of other dynasties in terms of terrain selection. The imperial mausoleums of the past dynasties were either located high up, or nestled against mountains and rivers. However, the Song mausoleum was on the contrary. It faced Songshan Mountain and had Luoshui River on its back. The topography of each mausoleum was high in the south and low in the north, with the mausoleum at the lowest point. It turns out that in the Song Dynasty, the "Five Sounds and Surnames" Feng Shui technique was popular in the Song Dynasty, which was related to the house painting technique of the Han Dynasty. This Feng Shui technique divided the surnames into five tones according to the five elements, and then selected auspicious directions according to the sounds. The surname of the emperor of the Song Dynasty is Zhao, which belongs to the sound of "jiao", which is conducive to the direction of Ren and Bing. It must be "the sky is dome in the southeast and the ground is hanging in the northwest." Therefore, the terrain of all tombs in the Song Dynasty was high in the southeast and low in the northwest.
After the Ming Dynasty, Feng Shui paid special attention to the shape of mountains and rivers. Therefore, the Feng Shui of imperial mausoleums in the Ming and Qing dynasties was particularly particular. Coupled with the coordination of the architecture, the selection and planning of the imperial mausoleums reached a high level of art. level. Backed by the main peak of Changrui Mountain, with natural sand mountains on the left and right wings, the entire mountain is high in the north and low in the south. It is spread along the trend, with a distinct rhythm and majestic momentum. In order to prevent the tomb from being destroyed by flash floods during the flood season, piles were driven and reinforced under the building, and a complete drainage system was built. Open drainage ditches are set up on the ground using the natural sloping terrain to allow rainwater to drain smoothly. The water in the mausoleum area passes through open ditches and culverts, and is collected under the Shenlu Bridge outside Longen Gate, and then drained out through the water channels on both sides. It can be seen that the Feng Shui of Xiaoling Mausoleum embodies the scientific site selection and superb construction technology of the ancient Chinese to a certain extent. In addition to ecological and practical functions, ancient Feng Shui site selection was also an art, which attached great importance to the organization of the environmental landscape. In ancient times, the concept of animism led to the worship of nature in mountains and rivers, and gradually developed into a national sacrificial ritual to worship the heaven, earth, sun, moon, mountains and rivers. People respect nature and love nature. The philosophical concept of "unity of man and nature" also guides people to imitate nature with human spirit, human ethics and social order, and use this to place their life ideals. Therefore, the concept of Feng Shui often includes the pursuit of beautiful and pleasing nature and environmental thoughts.
The Western Tombs of the Qing Dynasty and the Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty are two royal cemeteries built after the 13th Manchu Dynasty entered the country.
The Western Mausoleum of the Qing Dynasty was a royal mausoleum designated by Emperor Yongzheng as a feng shui treasure land during his reign. In the mausoleum area, there is a palace built by Emperor Daoguang out of golden nanmu. The structure is entirely made of tenons and does not require a single nail. It is distinguished by its exquisiteness. Although it is small, it is the most expensive to build. The tomb of an emperor who had torn patches on his dragon robe and was famous for his frugality was called Muling. One thousand meters to the right of Muling, Hualing, chartered by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, has been built since 1988, covering an area of 1,000 acres, of which 200 acres have been developed and constructed.
Hualing has excellent geographical location and feng shui. In the area in front of the mausoleum, there is Dragon Mountain on the left, which is like a crouching dragon stretching for a kilometer. There is Tiger Mountain on the right, like a lying tiger ready to go. It is the so-called dragon on the rock and tiger on the rock. In the middle are the ruins of the ancient Feng Shui Wall and the archway gate into the cemetery area.
Outside the mausoleum area, there is the Yishui River where the legendary 24-year-old Wang Xiang lay on the ice looking for fish, flowing slowly from right to left, such as the Yudai River. Except for the season when it is frozen for thousands of miles, the flow never stops.
In the distance in front of the mausoleum, there is Huagai Mountain, which is shaped like a penholder with gold ingots. The pen holder is used to transport tents and curtains, indicating that officials will be prosperous; the ingot is used to describe a house filled with gold and jade, and it is used to attract wealth and treasures.
There is a higher Yongning Mountain in the distance behind the mausoleum area, which is the mountain behind the Western Mausoleum of the Qing Dynasty. Drink water inside.
The central axis of Hualing Mausoleum is modeled after the meridian of Emperor Yongzheng’s Tailing Mausoleum. This meridian deviates nearly 5 degrees from the true south and true north lines. It is the Emperor Yongzheng, Emperor Jiaqing, Emperor Daoguang and Emperor Guangxu who are imitating the imperial mausoleum, stepping on the canopy of glory and wealth and resting on Yongning Mountain.
The geographical situation of Hualing belongs to the feng shui pattern of having a shield in front and a back in the back, relying on the royal aura, and embracing all the beauty.
After 20 years of operation, Hualing is majestic and full of greenery. The main campus has a general garden where generals who have made outstanding contributions to the motherland are buried.
The Hualing Arch is imitated in the shape, sculpture, and color structure of the Dazhong to Zhengzheng Arch of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei City. It uses an entire strip of grass-white jade quarried in Quyang for tenons. It is constructed without a single nail. Although not huge, it is exquisite. The cost is high, but it is satisfying. Hualing had such a concept 20 years ago, which shows that Hualing has some kind of expectation for one day. With the new situation of frequent and harmonious exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, we can carry out services to Taiwan compatriots. Hualing's service to maintain and develop the Chinese sentiment of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait is thicker than water. The opportunity that has waited for a thousand years has finally arrived. For many Taiwanese veterans who have not been able to fulfill their wish to return home, at this moment, their dreams can become reality. The fallen leaves can return to their roots and rest in the soil.
The altar in Hualing is modeled after the altar in the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. It has the same size and the same material. Standing in the middle and speaking, there is also a good echo effect. I hope that the melody composed by Hualing's chapter will touch the heartstrings of my close friends and get a good echo effect. Arouse people's praise and contribute to the efforts of the predecessors and sages. Choose the best Feng Shui for your ancestors, and bring blessings to your descendants.
For groups, organizations or individuals who care about Hualing’s geography and feng shui, Hualing provides a free one-day tour from Beijing to the Xiling Tombs of the Qing Dynasty. Visit Hualing Feng Shui Chapter.
Contact address: No. 1, Hualing Road, Xiaolonghua Village, Qingxiling, Yi County