On the Name of Laiyang Village

Gu Bing

Laiyang is a place I will never forget in my life. I set foot on this land from 1969 until 1979 set off for Zhoucun, where I spent ten spring and autumn.

At first, our barracks were in the south gate of Chengxiang Commune. Later, we moved to Heluo. Our farm is in Tuanwang, and the educated youth in the group are in the bath shop, so we often go to these places. Everywhere I go, I will pay attention to the local customs and record them. Over time, I found some interesting village names. For example, in the southeast of the city, there is a village called Rulin, which is quite bookish. According to legend, this village came from Zhaojiatuan, Heluo, Yuan Dynasty, and Zhao Guangyao, then Shaanxi's deputy envoy, built a Confucian temple here. Until the mid-1960s, the Confucian Temple had magnificent buildings, including Dacheng Hall, Wumen Building, Zunjing Pavilion, Minglun Hall, Jiulong Wall, Jiyen Gate and Lingxing Gate. It is known as the "first of all counties". For another example, there is a village called Jiaoshi in the north of Heluo, which is very strange. I just heard about it. I'm curious to know if there is any history. When I ask, it's true. The villagers told me that there were two huge footprints on a big stone on the mountain in the east of the village, but obviously they were not left by ordinary people. The ancestors thought it was left by the gods, so they named the village "Footstone". Since then, it has aroused my strong interest in inquiry. So, when I was at work, or simply took advantage of my vacation, I rode my bike and traveled to almost all the towns and villages in the county to visit the ancient times. Later, I met a friend of the county civil affairs bureau. He knows the villages in this county like the back of his hand, so I know more about them.

Laiyang, the county has 826 villages. These village names reflect the unique local geographical history and humanities, and have rich cultural connotations. Approaching it, it is like a thick encyclopedia in front of you.

Some villages have a long history. There are 8 villages with a history of 1000 years, including the above-mentioned Konglin.

The village name has the most three words. There are few villages with more than five words. There are more than 300 people named after surnames, accounting for 46%, of which X Gezhuang is the most, with 104, X Guzhuang 45, X Family 34, X Family 24 and X Family Valley 12. 145 The location of the hospital is called Wugezhuang. Interestingly, there are many people who have the same name, such as Zhou Jia Zao Xing and Xie Jia Zao Xing, each with five, Lijiabai Temple and Zhujiabai Temple with five, and Zhangqiabao Village Qiaojiabao Village Qiujiabao Village with nine.

Some of these villages are named after mountains and rivers. Such as cliffs, hills and ports; Berthing, depression, depression; Gullies, bays, beaches, etc. Such as red clay cliffs, reed moors, duck ditches, and so on.

Some are named after flowers and trees. Such as peach blossom ditch, Weikuang, Liuhang and Guliu. Shili ancient willow, willow blend, rain and snow raining, so poetic.

Some are named after birds and animals. For example, pheasant park, monkey ditch and so on.

Some are named after ancient architectural sites, temples and ancient tombs. Such as Shimiao Village, Zhujiamiao and Zhangjiaan.

Some show good luck. Among them, Longfeng has 14. Such as Longwangzhuang and Fengtou Village.

There is a life that expresses social clarity and peace. Such as Gongjiazhuang and Xianyou Village.

Some reflect rural scenery and yearn for comfort. Such as Taoyuan and Wanliu.

Some depict natural beauty. Such as Wang Lan, Apollo and Xia Feng. Full of poetry and beauty.

It has something to do with emperors and generals. For example, if you don't move mountains, you will move magou. According to legend, Qin Shihuang once toured the east here. The guard cliff on the top of the general was set by Emperor Taizong during his crusade.

Some come from myths and legends. For example, Dongxianzhuang and Lvxianzhuang are said to have been to Lv Dongbin. The horse shouted. Legend has it that when there was a flood one year, a horse brayed away the flood, hence the name. As for the origin of Niubaikou Village, it is even more legendary. It is said that there are 99 cows in Jingshan, come back 100. The extra one is actually Taurus. There is also a story of a poem in Niubeicheng Village. In the early Ming Dynasty, there was a Shi Niu, a magistrate of a county who wrote poems:

Strange stones wander like cattle,

It hasn't moved for thousands of years.

Four winds brushed his hair,

It is raining like a river.

Grass is difficult to enter,

The jade whip cannot turn back.

Lying alone outside the western wall every year,

Who is your shepherd?

Although most villages can look forward to the significance of literature, there are also some village names that I still don't know. Such as, Wandi, Zhuanqu Lotus, Wama, Camel, etc. Comrades, do you know that your suggestions are generous?