Yang Clan Ancestral Hall Introduction
The Yang Clan Ancestral Hall, completed in the 12th year of the Republic of China, is an ancient structure built with the funds raised by the Yang clan members scattered across Pingtung. It is a traditional Hakka siheyuan-style building situated on a terrain that rises at the front and falls at the back, featuring a form where the building gradually descends on both sides. Although it once faced the fate of demolition due to a new road construction plan, it was fortunately preserved through the efforts of the descendants of the Yang family and has been approved as a national third-level historic site. Traditional Hakka architecture places a strong emphasis on the quality of the environment and feng shui, which can be clearly observed from the "Taiji Two Instruments Pond" in front of the Yang Clan Ancestral Hall and the Earth Dragon God shrine beneath it. This is also a uniquely characteristic architectural landscape of Taiwan. In the heart-shaped pond, red bricks are stacked to create the Taiji diagram representing yin and yang, adhering to the traditional feng shui theory of managing water and gathering energy to achieve prosperity, with the hope of thriving and continuing without end; the Earth Dragon God channels the dragon vein of Mount Tawu into the Taiji Two Instruments Pond, forming a dynamic feng shui that blesses the descendants for generations. Although the Taiji Two Instruments Pond was built with an emphasis on feng shui, its waters are filled with green leaves, and lotus flowers bloom in abundance, adding a tranquil and elegant aesthetic. The decoration of the building itself is equally impressive. The roof features a swallowtail upturned ridge design, giving the structure a balanced and solemn appearance; the ridge top is adorned with exquisite glazed cut art. The courtyard is paved with red bricks, with a moon gate on either side allowing passage, and the gates are decorated with relief sculptures, Chaozhou ceramics, painted carvings, and bamboo-style carved flower windows, all of which showcase the delicate and distinctive craftsmanship of the Hakka. The charm of the Yang Clan Ancestral Hall lies in its ability to emanate a rich and profound aura even after the passage of time, a value that modern architectural styles cannot compare to, making it well worth savoring.
