What is the basis for building stone archways in rural areas?

Since ancient times, stone archways have been set at the entrances of cemeteries, villages, temples, Taoist temples and scenic spots. And the stone archway has different installation details in different places. There were many kinds of stone archways in ancient times, such as; Chastity square, filial son (female) square, merit square, etc. The first is chastity square, that is, when the husband at home dies, the woman will build a chastity archway to show her virginity or suicide for her husband all her life. This is also in line with the ancient moral concept, but it also ruined many women's lives and ruined women's great youth for decades. Secondly, filial piety. "Filial piety" is the foundation of all good deeds and an extremely important moral standard for China's ancient people to stand in the world. Filial piety is the core of Confucian ethics. Finally, Gongde Square. Most of these archways were built by the emperor to praise military commanders who have made outstanding achievements in frontier defense, resisting foreign invasion, counterinsurgency and crusade, as well as civil servants who have made outstanding achievements in loyalty to the emperor, assisting the court, governing the local government, handling official duties, and being good at judging unjust imprisonment. It was built by the decree of the emperor's "permission". The construction of Gongde Square is not only an important means for feudal emperors to favor, win over and buy people's hearts, but also an effective way to cultivate loyal ministers loyal to the emperor and the court and maintain and consolidate feudal rule.

Stone archway art is a manifestation of stone carving culture in China, which is different from stone carving lions, unicorns, beasts and elephants. The stone archway is not an imitation of an object, but a relief on the surface of a big stone. This requires the sculptor to have a certain overall grasp ability and be able to conceive the prototype of the whole stone archway in a certain period of time. Integrate the use of stone archways and make different kinds of sculptures. Stone archway is also an accessory building of ancestral hall, which shows the noble character and great achievements of family ancestors and has the function of ancestor worship.