Yang Family Ancestral Hall Introduction
The Yang Clan Ancestral Hall, completed in the 12th year of the Republic of China, is an ancient building constructed with the funds raised by the Yang clan relatives distributed across Pingtung. It is a traditional Hakka siheyuan architectural style, situated in a terrain that rises from front to back. The structure gradually descends from the middle height to the sides, and although it once faced the fate of demolition due to new road construction plans, it was fortunately preserved through the efforts of the descendants of the Yang clan, and was applied for designation as a national historic site of grade three. Traditional Hakka architecture places great emphasis on the quality of environmental feng shui, which can be clearly observed from the "Taiji Two Instruments Pond" in front of the Yang Clan Ancestral Hall and the land dragon god beneath the altar. This is also a uniquely characteristic architectural landscape of Taiwan. In the heart-shaped pond, a red brick structure forms the Taiji pattern representing yin and yang, based on the traditional feng shui doctrine of water regulation and qi gathering, aspiring for prosperity through water; the land dragon god channels the dragon vein of Mount Tawu into the pond, creating dynamic feng shui to bless future generations. Although the Taiji Two Instruments Pond was built for the sake of feng shui, the pond filled with green leaves and blooming lotus flowers adds a tranquil elegance to the aesthetic; focusing on the decoration of the building is equally admirable. The roof is designed in a swallow-tail style, giving the appearance of balance and solemnity; the ridge's horsebacks are adorned with exquisite glass mosaic artistry; the courtyard is paved with red bricks, connecting the left and right sides through moon-shaped wall doors, which are decorated with reliefs, earthenware, painted carved flowers, and bamboo-shaped cutwork windows, all of which exhibit the delicacy and uniqueness of Hakka craftsmanship. The charm of the Yang Clan Ancestral Hall lies in its enduring rich flavor after enduring the trials of time, a value that modern architectural styles cannot compare to, making it truly worthy of careful appreciation.
