THE LEE ESTATE
The Lee Estate is located in Luzhou District New Taipei City. The square formaiton of the residence houses 7 halls and 56 rooms. In 1982, the Ministry of the Interior of the Taiwan promulgated and implemented the "Law on the Preservation of Cultural Assets." In 1985, the Lee Estate was approved as a "Third Class Historical Relic," becoming one of the first residences to be given that designation. Most of the rooms have been able to preserve their original appearance, with minimal damage, which is very precious.
Surrounded by courtyard walls, the estate is in a northwest position facing the southeast. Aside form the actual house, the area is also divided into the front and back yards. The backyard used to have a pond, but it was filled up after one of the daughters fell into the water in 1947.
The two-story building is surrounded by a cloister, forming a "U." The front gable is decorated with emblems and flowers and plants, with "Lee" the charactrer of the family last name in the center. The exterior walls show signs of stone washing, roughening treatment, and 13 ditch tile pasting. The first generation of the Lee family was dominated by Mr. Lee Zhengyi was the head of the first generation of the Lee family and built his wealth from agriculture.
The fifth-generation Lee couple
The person on the left is Yan Xiufeng, and on the right is Lee Youbang. Both nationalistic since childhood, they fought and sacrificed for Taiwan's revolutionary movement. The couple made significant contributions, gaining an important position in the country's retrocession and contemporary histories.
Front Yard
There is a pond in the front yard symbolizing fortune, because you can use the water to grow crops, and then sell them to make money.
The Main Door
The rooftop decoration is made of cochin ceramics pottery.
The Study
Back in the days, it was traditional for men to study and women to work. However, Lee Youbang thought that everyone, men and women, should work and study at the same time. So the library allowed both male and female family members to use the study.
The Bed
Red eight-legged cypress bed: The bed is an indispensable piece of furniture. Back in the days, wealthy families needed to buy a new bed for the new daughter-in-law. It is said to bring good fortune. They preferred to buy a red-lacqured bed, which became known as the "Red Bed."
Accountant's Office
This room stored all the family assets. The carving of the gods on top of the door kept an eye on the accountant.
Dragon Protection on the Left
The perpendicular sides of the house are called "dragon protection," made up of the kitchen, the guest rooms, and the bedrooms.
Rooftop
Because Luzhou is a low lying area, it is frequently flooded. No part in the entire house is made of wood; the large courtyard is made of brick and stone. Little fancy decorations, Less fancy decorations, stacked horseback shaped roof soaring into the sky, are the unique characteristics of this building.
The Well
Rich people build wells inside their own houses. They didn't need to use the public shared well and fight with ordinary folk for water.
The Door Gods
The door gods are now a popular photo background for those who go for the "Zhuazhuo" ceremony.
Middle Room
This is a place to talk business, and the doors are opened only on 3 occasions:
1.funerals
2.weddings
3. visits from the president
The Gods' Room
It's a room to pray and wish for good luck.
WHAT??
There is a Ba Gua on the beam!!??
In order to support the ancient house, beams and columns were necessary. In ancient woodwork projects, if the main building structure was completed, a formal "girding ceremony" would be held, which was when the main beam is hoisted. The highest beam on the roof of the building's main hall was also called the "big beam", which not only representede the completion of the main building structure, but also followed the ancient customs.
Things that keep the estate safe
The most common paintings are the "Ba Gua," which are supposed to have mysterious powers to exorcise demons and avoid evil spirits. It is said that they stabilize the structure, add good luck, and eliminate evil spirits.
Why does the beam have to hide the Ba Gua?
It's hard for one to see the Ba Gua when he steps into the house. According to legend, its magic is quite strong, and not suitable for guests to look at it directly. Therefore, the illustrations were placed in a secret place, silently guarding the Lee house, perfectly showing the architects' attention to details.
Information:
蘆洲李宅-黃伊蓮女士導覽
Pictures:
Art Group
Lee's couple's picture:
Some of the pictures are from: