Tongji Bridge in Foshan

Tongji Bridge in Foshan

Tongji Bridge has a long history in Foshan. It is the first big wooden bridge built in Foshan. According to expert research, the bridge was a wooden footbridge built by villagers in the early stage. Tongji Bridge across the Luoshui River, north of the goldfish street, was built in the Ming Dynasty, respectively in Jiajing 38 years, Longqing 2 years, Wanli 9 years three times rebuilt. In the sixth year of Tianqi, Li Shiwen, the Secretary of the Ministry of household affairs, once again launched a fund-raising and reconstruction project, and named it "Tongji Bridge", which means "there will be relief after the bridge is opened". In the early years of the Republic of China, the river course near Tongji Bridge was silted up, and there was very little traffic. After the liberation, Foshan road was expanded many times, the river under Tongji Bridge was changed into underground ditch, and the bridge deck was changed into main road. There was no sign of "bridge" in this area.

brief introduction

It's a pity that the Tongji Bridge in the past has been hard to find with the change of time, which makes the practice of "Tongji" in vain every year. In order to protect the historical and cultural heritage, carry forward the traditional culture

On January 18, 2001, Foshan municipal government invested 17 million yuan to restore Tongji Bridge. The restored Tongji Bridge has beautiful architecture and profound cultural heritage.

Architectural features

Tongji Bridge is 32 meters long and 9.9 meters wide. The Baogu stones at both ends of the bridge set off the windmill with auspicious clouds and bats, reflecting the symbol of Tongji Bridge folk custom - windmill. Carved on the bridge is the artifact of the eight immortals who are said to hold when they cross the sea, implying that the citizens pray for disaster relief and peace when they cross the bridge. In the upper part of the bridge column, an elephant's head is used to "arch" out a fruit basket, in which there are pumpkins and peaches, meaning "elephant embracing peace". The ancient Tongji Bridge has 9 STONE levels at the head of the bridge and 13 at the end of the bridge, reflecting the idea of "nine out and thirteen back". Now it is also reflected in the new bridge: replacing steps with anti-skid strips, placing 9 at the north end of the bridge and 13 at the south end of the bridge. It not only improves the safety factor of people crossing the bridge, but also reflects the idea of praying for blessings. The water area under the Tongji Bridge is 2000 square meters, and there are hydrophilic steps, Zhiyu Pavilion and Yueyu Pavilion, which are based on the ancient poem "fish are happy, people are happy, spring is clear, heart is clear".

On the archway of Tongji Bridge, there is a wooden tablet of "Tongji" hanging high

The left wing League is "a bridge for thousands of people to cross the water, which is known as Chuihong at the end of the village"

The right couplet is "a parade through seven fortresses, a journey for free travelers to find spring, a journey for ferry to drink horses"

The couplet summarizes the style and features of the original Tongji Bridge, but the reconstructed Tongji Bridge is far inferior to the original bridge. There is no boat like weaving, no setting sun reflecting the bridge like rainbow. Most importantly, it is just a scenic spot to commemorate the original bridge, without the sincere and cordial feelings of the original bridge. However, the wind of "xingtongji" is flourishing.

Tongji Bridge Square is a 7300 square meter park with Tongji Bridge, gate building and North-South square as the main axis, water under the bridge and surrounding greening. The main body of the gate building is made of green brick with arched openings on both sides. Shiwan doll design is used on the ridge of the gate to show the charm of Foshan fine arts ceramics. The picture depicts the prosperity of the ancient Tongji Bridge, including God of wealth, lion dance, and selling windmills. There is a dragon and a phoenix on both sides of the figure, implying that the dragon and the Phoenix are auspicious. Under the gate tower doll house, there is a gray carving of "bats step on double money", which means wealth with "blessing" and "money".

All is well, and all is well

The proverb "Tongji, no closure" is well known in Foshan, which means that if you go to Tongji, there will be no worries and worries, and everything will go smoothly. "Tongji", a folk activity, reposes the good wishes of Foshan people. From 11:00 p.m. on the 15th of the first lunar month to 11:00 p.m. on the 16th (before 17:00 p.m.) every year, no one came to organize. For a common hope, Foshan people walked the same bridge. People from some villages and towns near Nanhai, Sanshui, Gaoming and Shunde also came to participate in the "Tongji trip". From the end of Ming Dynasty to the beginning of Qing Dynasty, every family will help the old and the young. From early morning to night, they walk across Tongji Bridge from north to South with windmills, wind bells and lettuce. It has lasted for more than 400 years.

customs

Xingtongji is a traditional custom in Foshan, Guangdong Province, which has a history of more than 200 years. "Tongji, no closure (i.e. no worries)" is a well-known saying in Foshan. It means that walking on the Tongji Bridge on the 16th of the first month can eliminate diseases and worries and achieve happiness and well-being. It is said that the custom of Tongji is related to the myth that when the immortals left gold to build the bridge, there was a saying that "Tongji can help me out of poverty". Tongji Bridge is one of the earliest bridges built in Foshan, which has a history of more than 400 years. It is located at Tongji intersection at the north end of Foshan Pulan highway. The Tongji Bridge, which was originally built, is a wooden bridge. It is impossible to know when it was built. The wooden bridge has been in disrepair for a long time. It will be rebuilt in 1626 A.D. and a wooden stone arch bridge will be built, named "Tongji Bridge". Later generations also built a small stone tablet at the end of the bridge, engraved with "Tongji Bridge" and a couplet beside it: "the parade of tongqi fort, the escape of tourists in search of spring, and the drinking of horses at the ferry head"; the couplet "the traffic of thousands of people, the curved bridge across the water, and the rainbow at the end of the village" shows the function of Tongji Bridge in creating happiness for the people.

The custom of "Xing Tong Ji" probably began in the late Ming Dynasty and the early Qing Dynasty. According to the records of Zhongyi Township in Foshan (Xian Zhi) published in 1923, Shangyuan (Lantern Festival), the Lantern Festival was held, and pujunwei was a lamp market Since the new year's Day (Spring Festival), people from other places have come to buy lanterns. Those who hold the lanterns pass by the road, by the Tongji Bridge, and by the river side of Shengmen (now the gate of the city), all of them lead the lantern visitors. " People go to Tongji Bridge on the 16th day of the first month to enjoy the Lantern Festival. At first, people walked on Tongji Bridge just to watch the lanterns and the night market. The superstitious folk psychology of "no closure, no relief" was gradually formed later.

Several years after the completion of Tongji Bridge, people built a Nanji Guanyin temple and Tongyun society altar on both sides of the bridge. On the morning of the 16th day of the first lunar month, local villagers in Foshan and Bali of Sixiang walk to Tongji Bridge in groups to buy "incense paper products" and "Xingyun windmill" and march on the bridge. No matter who goes to Tongji Bridge, he must go from the head of the bridge (North Bank) to the end of the bridge (south bank) at one time, and can't turn back. Down from the end of the bridge, he burned incense to pray for happiness, set off firecrackers and returned to his home in Foshan town. Taboo in the bridge back, so it is not lucky. At that time, on both sides of Qiaotou and Weilu, in addition to small vendors selling incense candles, firecrackers, lettuce (for the purpose of making money), "Xingyun windmill" and other small stalls, there were also games such as throwing geese and carp color, and tourists flocked to "gamble against hand God". This gradually flourished and eventually became a folk custom of Foshan town and nearby villagers.

After the founding of new China, due to the opening of the Pulan highway, the Tongji Bridge and the Guanyin Temple beside the bridge were demolished, and the practice of Tongji stopped for a time. In order to protect historical and cultural heritage and carry forward traditional culture, Foshan municipal government invested 17 million yuan to repair Tongji Bridge on January 18, 2001. The repaired Tongji Bridge has attracted more people. It is said that many foreign tourists, overseas Chinese and foreign friends have traveled thousands of miles to Foshan to participate in this folk custom activity.

Address: Jinyu street, Chancheng District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province

Longitude: 113.11521687113

Latitude: 23.015438609786

Chinese PinYin : Fo Shan Tong Ji Qiao