During the great migration 600 years ago, your family's surname may have also started from under the big locust tree in Hongdong
In the long history of China, a magnificent population migration occurred in the early Ming Dynasty, which not only changed the fate of countless families, but also injected new vitality into the land of China. What's the story behind the Great Migration? And how has it affected us today? Let's explore this history that has been sealed by time.
Hongdong Big Locust Tree: A Hometown Symbol in the Hearts of Immigrants
When it comes to the migration in the early years of the Ming Dynasty, we cannot fail to mention the Hongdong locust tree. This ancient tree has become a common memory of those who were forced to leave their hometowns at that time. It is recorded that between 1368 and 1420, the Ming government organized a movement of people on an unprecedented scale in order to restore and develop the economy. During this period, some 812 families with different surnames left their homes to reclaim wasteland and rebuild their homes across the country. These brave ancestors embarked on a journey into the unknown with hope for the future and longing for their homeland. Some of them may be your ancestors!
Why Hongdong?
Some people may wonder why Hongdong was chosen as the main relocation site. In fact, this is closely related to the geographical environment and social background at that time. Hongdong is located in the southern part of Shanxi Province, in the Yellow River Basin, with fertile soil and abundant water, and has been an agricultural developed area since ancient times. More importantly, it was close to the capital of Beijing at that time, and the transportation was convenient, which was convenient for the imperial court to manage and dispatch human and material resources. Therefore, when the country needs to make a large-scale population adjustment, Hongdong naturally becomes the place of choice.
The migration route is full of hardships
For those involved in migration, the path is not an easy one. Imagine a time when there was no modern means of transportation, and people had to rely on their feet or rudimentary vehicles to move forward. Along the way, you will not only have to face harsh natural conditions, such as natural disasters such as droughts and floods, but also overcome various social obstacles, such as disease, hunger, and possible security threats in an unfamiliar environment. However, it was this perseverance that allowed our ancestors to overcome many difficulties and finally take root and grow in a new land.
The surname culture has been passed down to this day
With the passage of time, the people who came out of Hongdong gradually integrated into the local area, forming their own unique customs and cultural characteristics. But no matter where they went, they never forgot their roots, the big locust tree that witnessed everything. Nowadays, in many places you can find place names or buildings named after "locust trees", which symbolize people's nostalgia for the past and longing for the future. At the same time, this also makes the surname culture widely spread and preserved, becoming an important link between the ancient and the modern.
Whenever I mention this history, my heart is always full of respect and emotion. Although the figures of those who have passed away have been blurred, the footprints they left behind are forever engraved on this land. Today, when we talk about the origin of our surname, we might as well try to trace it, and maybe you will find that your blood flows with memories from under the big locust tree in Hongdong 600 years ago. This is not only a part of personal identity, but also a precious wealth shared by the Chinese nation. May we cherish this heritage and let it continue to inspire generations of Chinese to forge ahead and create a better tomorrow.