Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Traditional customs - The difference between Huizhou ancestral halls and residential houses

The difference between Huizhou ancestral halls and residential houses

The difference lies in their functions and architectural features. Huizhou ancestral hall is one kind of Huizhou architecture, which is used to worship ancestors and family martyrs. Huizhou ancestral halls are usually built in the center of villages or towns and are large in scale, with unique architectural styles and rich decorations and carvings. Most of the Huizhou ancestral halls are converted into mansions, i.e. former ancestral houses, and usually consist of three courtyards and two side rooms, with the main hall in the center. The hall is usually three or five rooms, with exquisite decorations and carvings, among which wood, stone and brick carvings are the most famous. The Huizhou Residence is another type of Huizhou architecture, which is the residence of the residents in Huizhou. The architectural forms of Huizhou Folk Houses are also mostly mansions, but they are usually smaller and simpler than ancestral halls. The architectural style of Huizhou residential buildings also has unique characteristics, such as hall-type buildings, walled courtyards and flying eaves and corners. The decorations and carvings of Huizhou houses are relatively simple, mainly wood and brick carvings, which often reflect the exquisite craftsmanship and cultural connotation of Huizhou architecture. Therefore, the main difference between Huizhou ancestral halls and residential houses lies in their functions and architectural features. Ancestral halls are used for worshipping ancestors and family martyrs, and are large in scale, with unique architectural styles, rich in decorations and carvings; residential houses are used for residences, and are small in scale, with simple architectural styles, and relatively simple decorations and carvings.