Vol. 4 (1) Jul. 2022

Article ID. JHSSR-1120-2022

The Educational Function of Ancestral Hall Plaques and Couplets Under the Psychosocial Homeostasis

Mingming Liu and Qingye Tan

Abstract:

This article is to study the educational function of plaques and the plaques in ancestral halls under the psychosocial homeostasis theoretical model. Research problems include: (1) contents of plaques in Chinese ancestral halls and their influence on people and (2) the difference between the text content in the Chinese ancestral hall and the French pantheon, and the difference in the educational function. The research uses fieldwork and systematic literature review. The results of the research are as follows: (1) the content of the ancestral hall plaques and couplets which has three aspects including not forgetting ancestors, self-cultivation, motto and encouragement; (2) the educational function of the plaques and plaques in ancestral halls lies in its restriction and guidance on people’s thoughts and behaviours. The values conveyed by the plaques of the ancestral hall are generally accepted by the people. The textual descriptions in the Pantheon make people pursue eternal spiritual purity. In the ancestral hall, everyone seeks to have some kind of emotional connection with members of their clan.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2022.v4.n1.id1120.p81