What is the typical clan structure in Huizhou?

Huizhou clan organization structure is tight. The typical clan structure is that the whole clan has a patriarch; The following families are divided into several rooms according to blood relationship, with a director; There are several to dozens of families in each room, and each family has parents.

Some ancestors, such as the record of Emperor Gaozong of the Qing Dynasty, pointed out that "all ancestors were gentry and local tyrants"; Or some "choose a family to serve the public", as if they were democratically elected by various "elders".

In fact, the head of a family is not entirely based on seniority or age, nor are they all respected people. Many heads of households are held by rich and powerful people in the family. There are several assistants with different names under the patriarch, who are responsible for etiquette, finance, education and other affairs.

The patriarch is the representative of a clan, representing not only the living people of the whole clan, but also the dead ancestors, adhering to the will of their ancestors. Therefore, he can admonish and give orders to the whole clan in the name of ancestors and clans, manage clan property on behalf of the whole clan, commend good deeds, mediate disputes and punish acts that violate clan rules and conventions.