Editor's note: "The Yimen Chen family shows its elegance, and the fifteen generations are not separated. The thousand-year-old inheritance is praised, and the family is brilliant. "Jiangzhou Yimen Chen is a family legend! More than 3,900 people and 15 generations have lived together for 332 years, and behind this miracle is the support of strict family rules and harmonious family style. This is a rare gem in the study of surnames. Its management model contains wisdom, and the educational concept cultivates talents. It is not only the glory of the family, but also the bright pearl of traditional Chinese culture. Dig deep into its value and provide valuable reference for the development of today's society.
"Living together for 500 years, gathering 3,000 people." This description of the Chen family of Jiangzhou Yimen is like an echo of history, shocking. In the long river of years, Jiangzhou Yimen Chen is like a bright pearl, shining with a unique and dazzling light.
Jiangzhou Yimen Chen, a family that originated in the late Tang Dynasty, since the ancestor Chen Wang took root in Changleli, Taiping Township, De'an County, Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province during the reign of Emperor Xizong Qianfu, and opened a shocking legend.
This family reached its peak during the Song Renzong period, fifteen generations, more than 300 years, no separation, more than 3,900 people living in one big family, 332 years of family history, this feat is not only in China, but also in the history of the global family.
The origin of the Yimen Chen clan can be traced back to after the fall of the Southern Dynasty Chen. Chen Wang, a descendant of the royal family of the Chen Dynasty, led four generations of his family to move to Yongqing Village, Taiping Township, Putangchang, Xunyang County, in the nineteenth year of Kaiyuan (731). Since then, the Chen family has taken root in this land and started a magnificent process of family reproduction and development.
The descendants of the Chen family are well aware of the pain of the country's destruction and family death, and deeply understand that the inheritance of good family style is the key to the prosperity of the family.
They have always adhered to the concept of "loyalty, filial piety, righteousness, cultivation, study, and public heirloom", and integrated it into the blood of family members. Under the guidance of this philosophy, the family has continued to grow and grow.
The core of the Chen family's "family law" lies in "selflessness". This philosophy is like a beacon that illuminates the way forward for the family. Children and grandchildren are familiar with the Confucian classics, with the idea of "establishing a heart for heaven and earth, and a life for the people,
For the sake of the saints, for the eternal peace" as its own responsibility, to serve the country as the noble goal of education. They are self-disciplined, diligent, knowledgeable, selfless, and get along harmoniously and friendly.
Even the livestock raised by the family were deeply affected, and according to legend, "if one dog does not come, a hundred dogs will not eat". Song Taizong heard this beautiful talk and came to Yimen in person, and saw that hundreds of dogs ate a trough and slept together, a dog did not arrive, and the rest of the dogs did not eat.
I can't help but admire, the royal pen gave the "loyal and filial family", named it "the first in the world", and wrote a couplet: "A dog is not to a hundred dogs do not eat, and the aliens in the prison are all righteous; A bark protrudes and a hundred barks are angry, and the village protects the door with one voice."
"The General Book of Chinese Surnames" calls this: Yimen Chen's world is strange, and a hundred dogs are strange in the same groove. In 1996, this spectacle was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. These spectacles are not only a vivid embodiment of the good family style of the Chen family, but also a strong proof that their concept of "selflessness" is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Since the establishment of the village, Yimen Chen has been praised by several emperors of the Tang and Song dynasties and the poetry of many celebrities, so that it is famous all over the world.
In the fourth year of Zhonghe (884 AD), Li Yi of Tang Dynasty wrote the title of "Yimen Family", and gave the union "Nine Heavenly Books are Expensive, and the Righteous Words of the Ancient World".
Since then, the original Changle Li Yongqing Village was renamed "Yimen", which is undoubtedly a high recognition and praise for the Chen family. In the first year of Dashun (890 AD), Li Ye of Tang Zhaozong personally inscribed "Jingbiao Yimen Chen", and officially named it "Yimen Chen".
Li Yu, the king of the Southern Tang Dynasty, gave the plaque "Yimen" in the first year of Shengyuan (937 AD). Song Taizong Zhao Kuangyi is many times, Chunhua three years (July 15, 992 A.D. Yubi gave "loyalty and filial piety",
In the second year of the Dao (996 AD), he gave the "Zhenliang Family" and the "Yiju People", collected the "Yimen Family Law" in the National History Museum, and sent Pei Yuci to give the 33 volumes of the imperial book and built the Imperial Book Building, and also hung the three words "Zhenliang Family" at the head of the door.
Song Taizong praised it with "asking who is the first in the south of the Yangtze River, and only Yimen Chen is called Xian". Zhao Heng of Song Zhenzong Cilian "The first in the world with 3,000 people in the world, and the unparalleled in the world for 500 years of cohabitation", the fourth year of Tianxi (101 AD)
The praise of many emperors and generals is undoubtedly a high affirmation of the Yimen Chen family. This not only highlights the outstanding achievements of the Chen family, but also reflects its lofty status and far-reaching influence in society.
However, the glory of the Yimen Chen clan is not only reflected in its huge family size and wealthy industry. There are more than 300 farms and gardens, all over the land of Jiangzhou, and even across the provincial border, which is a witness to its strong economic strength.
However, what is even more remarkable is their emphasis on education and their dedication to cultural inheritance. The establishment of "Xuetian Twenty Hectares", the establishment of "Dongjia Book House" and "Dongjia Academy" is undoubtedly a far-sighted initiative of Yimen Chen.
Dongjia College, which can be said to be the first private university in history, not only allows its own children to enroll for free, but also opens its doors to recruit children with foreign surnames.
"Yan Quartet scholars, Fu La's qualifications! Jiangnan celebrities are all employed in their families", for a time, Dongjia Academy became the cradle of culture, cultivating countless talents.
In the 4th year of Xianping in the Northern Song Dynasty (1001 AD), more than 400 Yimen Chen passed the imperial examination and served as officials in the court, including 3 officials to prime ministers, 29 high-ranking officials in Beijing, and 42 people were awarded gifts in successive dynasties. Such a brilliant achievement is no accident.
Behind this is the family's strong investment in education, strict requirements for children, and adherence to traditional virtues such as loyalty, righteousness, and filial piety. Just as the ancients said: "If jade is not cut, it will not be made", Yimen Chen is well aware of the importance of education for the development of the family and the success of children, so he makes every effort to create good learning conditions for his children.
Under the inspiration of the loyalty, righteousness and filial piety of the Yimen Chen family, the people of Jiangnan settled disputes, net disputes, knew etiquette, and were loyal to the country, presenting a scene of cultivating and reading and promoting peace. With their own virtues and demeanor, this family has influenced the land and water and has become a model of social harmony.
"The old and the old, and the old of men; The young of me, and the young of man. The Yimen Chen family interprets this spirit of fraternity with practical actions, extending the harmony and care within the family to the whole society.
However, prosperity must decline, this seems to be the iron law of history. The excessively large size of the Yimen Chen family eventually caused the emperor to be uneasy. Although Bao Zheng and Wen Yanbo's advice was to spread the filial piety of Yimen Chen and educate the people, it was difficult to hide the ruler's concern about the huge family power.
Song Renzong issued an edict to persuade him to split up, and this decision was undoubtedly a tragic parting for the Yimen Chen family. On the day of the separation, the Chen clan wept bitterly, and the cauldron that was smashed into 291 pieces became a symbol of the family's dispersion.
"The dew is white from tonight, and the moon is the hometown of Ming." Since then, more than 3,900 ethnic groups have gone to different places and scattered in more than 70 states and counties across the country.
But the spirit of the Yimen Chen clan did not dissipate with the separation. After the separation, the descendants of the Chen family, keeping in mind the family motto, continued to grow and develop in various places. They hang a plaque of "Yimen Chen" or "Jiangzhou Yimen" in the capital of the gate to remember the roots of the family.
"The foundation of the world is in the country, the foundation of the country is at home, and the foundation of the family is in the body." The descendants of the Yimen Chen family know that personal cultivation is closely related to the honor of the family, and only by adhering to the tradition and spirit of the family can the family stand tall in the torrent of history.
Nowadays, most people surnamed Chen insist that they are the descendants of Yimen Chen, "one family has multiplied into ten thousand households, and all ten thousand households are new Yimen". The story of Yimen Chen is not only a history of the rise and fall of a family, but also an epic that reflects social changes, cultural inheritance and the brilliance of human nature.
Looking back on history, we can see many touching stories in the Chen family of Jiangzhou Yimen. There are elders who lead by example, passing on the family's values and traditional virtues to the next generation;
There are brothers who support each other and work together to overcome difficulties in the face of difficulties; There is harmony between neighbors, helping each other, and jointly creating a warm and harmonious family environment. These stories, like the stars, illuminate the path of family development.
However, the brilliance of the Jiangzhou Yimen Chen clan is not accidental, and behind it is the persistence and inheritance of traditional virtues by family members.
Just as the ancients said: "The family of goodness must have Yuqing" The Chen family takes "righteousness" as the core, advocates kindness, integrity, honesty and friendship, and accumulates profound blessings, so that the family can prosper.
The imperial court highly praised the Chen family of Jiangzhou Yimen and gave plaques such as "True Good Family" and "Righteous Residence", which is well deserved. This is not only a recognition of the Chen family, but also a respect for their family culture and management model.
"The foundation of the world is in the country, the foundation of the country is at home, and the foundation of the family is in the body." As Mencius said, the harmony and stability of the family is related to the prosperity of the country. Jiangzhou Yimen Chen's family style and family management model have provided us with valuable experience and inspiration.
We should draw wisdom from it and integrate it into modern family life, so that the family can become our warm support and source of strength. May we all be inspired to let the spirit of "the first in the world" shine with new brilliance in the new era.
Conclusion: "Yimen Chen originated in the late Tang Dynasty, and the ancestor Chen Wangde Anbang. Fifteen generations have not been dispersed, and three thousand nine hundred have been in one meeting. The family rules are strict and precious, and the family heirloom is famous.
Property and labor are shared, and education is fair and virtuous. The imperial examination and the first talent came out, and the family glory is unparalleled. The harmonious fashion has been passed down through the ages, and the first in the world is forever fragrant. ”
The legend of the Chen family of Jiangzhou Yimen can be called a monument to the development of the family. 15 generations without separation, 332 years together, this is not only the glory of a surname, but also a great interpretation of family culture and cohesion.
Its success provides a valuable sample for surname research, and also makes us think deeply: in modern society, although the concept of family has been diluted, the core values such as unity, mutual assistance, and educational inheritance should not be forgotten.
We look forward to netizens leaving messages to discuss the profound meaning behind this extraordinary family phenomenon and contribute wisdom to the reshaping of contemporary family culture!