Historical information of seaweed house

Architecture is a history book of stone, architecture is solidified music, and architecture itself covers a wealth of historical information. The written history of Weihai is about 2700 years ago (2008), and the history of residential buildings and their buildings in Weihai is much longer than the written history. It is a common practice for human beings to build houses with grass. Most of the early human construction activities were based on local conditions and materials. In Weihai and Rongcheng, the wild kelp grass growing in shallow waters is very prosperous in history, and a large number of mature seaweed are washed to the beach by the waves. Local residents collect and dry seaweed to cover the roof. It can be inferred that kelp huts have existed since ancient times. According to relevant experts' research, the origin of seagrass houses can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, but the houses at that time were only humble dwellings, not real residential buildings. From Qin and Han Dynasties to Song and Jin Dynasties, seaweed houses were formed and widely spread, and flourished in Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. With the continuous consolidation of coastal defense and the increase of residents, seaweed houses have also developed. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, ordinary houses in rural areas and towns in Jiaodong were mostly thatched houses. For example, many houses in Weihai Acropolis are built with seaweed.

The traditional seaweed houses along the coast of Jiaodong are unique specimens of local traditional houses. Liangmu (1342, with a history of 600 years) was found in Laotan Village, Ningjin Town, Rongcheng. Stone tablets have also been unearthed in Weiwei Village, which is described as "Qu Zujing first moved to Mu Ping County and settled in this village during the Dade period of the Yuan Dynasty". This village has a history of 700 years. In the south of Ningjinsuo Village, Ningjin Town, Rongcheng, there is still a street named Haicaofang, which was founded in the Ming Dynasty. The shady slope of the moss-covered roof confirms the long history and declares to the world the massiness and durability of a hundred years' immobility. So far, more than 20 seagrass houses with a history of more than 200 years have been preserved in Weiwei Village, Gangxi Town. As a standard for wealthy families in Jiaodong, the horse-tied stakes on the old stone wall still bear witness to history. Since 1970s, seagrass houses have been built with brick walls. Most of the existing seaweed houses in fishing villages have been handed down from generation to generation, and they have been preserved in this quaint room from generation to generation, especially some old people, who have a hard-to-give-up complex about seaweed houses that are warm in winter and cool in summer. A house can live for several generations and can be passed down from generation to generation.

The seaweed house in Jiaodong, like its unique style and long history, also contains rich regional culture, bearing the local people's customs, ways of thinking, behavior norms, worship beliefs and so on when building their homes. According to the older generation of local residents, before building seaweed houses, it is necessary to select a base and choose an auspicious day to start construction. When building a wall foundation, it is also very particular. In the four corners of the base trough, you should press the ingot or something symbolizing it, which is called "gambling treasure" in order to be rich and auspicious. On this day, we will cook a pot of hot jiaozi to eat, and jiaozi is as auspicious and festive as an ingot. After the seaweed house is completed, a series of activities will be held, such as "supporting the pot", "offering sacrifices", "pulling kang on the table", "pasting windows, stick grilles and hanging door curtains". These are permeated with strong Jiaodong customs, and some folk customs have been passed down to this day (2008). Those old people who have lived in seaweed houses are still full of yearning when they mention these customs.