Chastity Arch for Zhang (Correction)
- wongkwing
- Apr 13, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 18, 2023
Information about the chastity arch for Zhang (张氏) , mistaken as the wife of the 15th generation ancestor.
Source: The Comprehensive Records of the Great Qing Empire, Revised during the Jiaqing Reign 《嘉庆重修大清一统志》Four-Volume Compilation (四部丛刊本) / Compiled by Mu Zhang'a (穆彰阿) and others of the Qing Dynasty
Documented in Volume 443 / Guangzhou Prefecture (广州府) / lienü (烈女)
黄显章 wife, Zhang (张氏) from Xinhui (新会人), widow remains chaste/faithful (夫亡守节) honoured in 1799 (嘉庆四年)
In 2023, while reading the document "The Comprehensive Records of the Great Qing Empire, Revised during the Jiaqing Reign, (嘉庆重修大清一统志)" it was discovered that the wife of 黄显章, Zhang (张氏) , was honoured as a "chaste widow"(jiefu 节妇) (remaining faithful after her husband's death). In the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign (嘉庆四年)(1799), she was honored and the chastity arch was constructed.
The records of chastity distinctions (贞节旌表) can be divided into "chaste widow" (jiefu 节妇) and "martyred" (lienü 烈女). In 2009, while reading the documents "Xinhui Local Chronicles" (新会县志) and "Guangdong Local Chronicles" (广东通志), an error was made identifying Zhang (张氏) as a "martyred" (lienü 烈女) . Therefore, the 黄显章 mentioned in the documents is not the 15th generation ancestor Wong Hin Cheong (黄显章).
Source: National Library of China - Chinese Ancient Books Database (Request number: 地330.113/36）/ 新会县志，林星章，清道光21年[1841]
The map of Xinhui city (新会城) in the 21st year of Emperor Daoguang (道光) 1841, the red circle on the map is the location of “Waang cung" (横冲) as recorded in "Xinhui Local Chronicles, Volume 1, illustration /2" (新会县志 卷一 图说/二)
The history of Zhang (张氏), wife of 黄显章 is discovered after reading the documents "Xinhui County Chronicles" (新会县志) and "Guangdong General Chronicles" (广东通志) in 2009.
The following three sources of information are from "Xinhui Local Chronicles" (新会县志) and "GuangdongLocal Chronicless" (广东通志).
Source: National Library of China - Chinese Ancient Books Database (Request number: 地330.113/36）/ 新会县志，林星章，清道光21年[1841]
Documented in the 21st year of Emperor Daoguang (道光) 1841 edition "Xinhui Local Chronicles, Volume 7, Chastity Arch List / 13" (新会县志卷七坊表/十三), the chastity arch for Zhang (张氏), wife of 黄显章 is located in Xinhui City (新会城) “Waang cung" (横冲).
Source: National Library of China - Chinese Ancient Books Database (Request number: 地330.113/36）/ 新会县志，林星章，清道光21年[1841]
Accounting to the 21st year of Emperor Daoguang (道光) 1841 edition "Xinhui Local Chronicles, Volume 10, lienü / 45" (新会县志 卷十 烈女/四十五), Zhang (张氏), the daughter of imperial college student (贡生) Tianchi (天池), a native of Chungbian (涌边), wife of 黄显章. Zhang was honoured in 1798 (嘉庆三年),
Source: National Library of China - Chinese Ancient Books Database (Request number: 地330/36）/ 广东通志，阮元，清道光2年[1822]
The 2nd year of Emperor Daoguang (道光) 1822 edition "Guangdong Local Chronicles, Volume 312, Biographies 45, lienü / 7" (广东通志卷三百十二列传四十五列女七) recorded 黄显章 wife, Zhang (张氏) was honoured in 1799 (嘉庆四年).
Documents record that the wife黄显章, Zhang (张氏) was commended from the state as “lienü" (烈女) in 1798 (嘉庆三年) or 1799 (嘉庆四年). The chastity arch for Zhang (张氏) was constructed in “Waang cung" (横冲), on the road to the village/town in which she lived.
In ancient times, generally speaking, "妇" refer to married women, and "女" refer to unmarried women. “lienü" (烈女) refers to a betrothed maiden who died or committed suicide to protect her honour.
From the genealogical record of the Wong family, the 15th generation ancestor Wong Hin Cheong (黄显章) was born in 1744 (乾隆八年), wife is 黎氏 (born in 1745 乾隆九年), son is
黄国祥 (born in 1769 乾隆三十四年). Zhang (张氏) is not recorded in the genealogical record of the Wong family.
The approximate locations of today's “Waang cung" (横冲). Tianxin Road (田心路), it was called Tianxin Lane (田心巷) in the past, Zhizheng North Road (知政北路) , it was called Nanmenzhi Street (南门直街) in the past, Zhizheng Middle Road (知政中路), it was called Nanxing Street (南興街) in the past, and Zhizheng South Road (知政南路 , it was called Muqian Street (募前街) in the past.
It still retains the name of the place where the “Waang cung" (横冲) is located. It is located on the street next to Xinhui Dongfanghong Middle School (新会东方红中学), between the Zhizheng Middle Road 3rd Alley (知政中路三巷) and Tianxin Road (田心路).
Visited Xinhui City (新会城) in December 2013, stay at Xinhui Palm Hotel (新会迎宾馆), No. 10 Gongyuan Road (公园路10号) near the Xinhui Museum. After going to the General Reading Room (综合阅览室) on the 3rd floor of Xinhui Jingtang Library (景堂图书馆) to read the "Genealogy of Wong family in Dou Jyun town, Xinhui county"(新会县杜阮黄氏族谱) written by the 15th generation ancestor Wong Hin Cheong (黄显章), , I walked to Tianxin Road (田心路) and walked for a while. The following Street view was taken from Baidu map.
Street view of “Waang cung" (横冲).
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