60 Years of Chastity for an Archway | Is It Worth It?

Chastity archways originated in the Song Dynasty and reached their peak in the Qing Dynasty. They were built by the government to commemorate chaste women. In Xiaozhao Village, Beitian Town, Yuci District, Jinzhong City, we found a well-preserved and precious chastity archway, although it has not yet been officially graded. After 148 years of weathering, the archway stands tall in the village, facing east, with a height of 7.5 meters. It is compact and solemn in design, with delicate and exquisite carving techniques and rigorous and exquisite materials. The top of the archway adopts a three-eave design, with the middle part towering and the two sides slightly lower. The upturned eaves are like birds about to fly, showing a sense of beauty. Below, four stone pillars support three doorways, with the main door in the middle over 2 meters wide and the doorways on both sides over 1 meter wide. The bases of the stone pillars are protected by drum-shaped flat stones in front and back, and these stones are carefully carved with patterns such as flowers, adding a touch of delicacy and elegance to the archway.