A Study On Huizhou Shrine And Clan Culture Communication

Ancestral temple is the construction of unique significance to the Chinese people. In the history of Chinese ancestral temple, Huizhou ancestral hall is unique, with distinct representation. This representation is embodied in the temple’s architectural features as well as its close ties of clan culture. The patriarchal clan system in Huizhou inherits and practices the ethical spirit, and ancestral hall is the physical carrier and symbol. Previous researches about the ancestral hall in Huizhou focused mainly on ancestral temple architecture, temple worship and development, etc. Huizhou clan studies mostly focused on the aspect of social and economic history of the area. However, on the basis of comprehensive literature reviews and field surveys, this study integrates both of them by exploring Huizhou ancestral halls’ impacts on Huizhou clan culture communication from a communication perspective.Full text consists of two parts, the introduction and the body. The introduction discusses the reason for topic selection, current research, research questions, studying methods and innovations. Four chapters of the body are as follows:Chapter One sorts out the basic conditions of ancestral temples and patriarchal clans of Huizhou. Huizhou clan went through three times of immigrants of the Central Plains, and came into being during the Song dynasty. Huizhou ancestral hall arose from the Song dynasty, ushering in Ming and Qing dynasties. After the establishment of People’s Republic of China, Huizhou ancestral hall suffered three major shocks,and ruined badly, hence, clan system, lost its economic base, dying out gradually.Chapter Two discusses the symbols of ancestral hall in Huizhou and its symbolic meaning. Based on semiotic theory, the chapter analyses the siting, orientation and internal structure of the temple layout, and its plaques and sculptures, interpreting corresponding meaning of clan culture towards the symbolic elements of ancestral hall construction.Chapter Three illustrates the communication activities of ancestral hall in Huizhou. Concentrated on ancestor worship activities, genealogy, public activities and educational activities, this chapter analyzes the conveying and receiving relationship and spreading patterns of dissemination activities. Afterwards, the chapter generalizes four functions of communication activities, ranging from gathering, information transmission, and indoctrination to social controlling.Chapter Four states the contemporary communication of ancestral hall and clan culture of Huizhou. It demonstrates changes of the Huizhou ancestral halls, clan and culture on account of the change of time. Original communication situations are broken, and new modes of communication come into existence. The impact of modernization and commercialization brings about unprecedented difficulties to the spread of ancestral clans of Huizhou culture.