Ancient historical records indicate that the Youxiong Kingdom was located in present-day Xinzheng, Henan Province.
On the third day of the third lunar month, the Yellow Emperor (Xuanyuan Huangdi) was born at Xuanyuan Hill (present-day Xinzheng, Henan). Therefore, the Yellow Emperor’s birthplace is Xinzheng, Henan.
Every year on the third day of the third lunar month, Xinzheng City, Henan Province, holds the “Yellow Emperor’s Birthplace Ancestor Worship Ceremony” to commemorate the progenitor of the Chinese nation—Xuanyuan Huangdi.
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The Yellow Emperor is revered as the progenitor of Chinese civilization. Worshipping the Yellow Emperor is a manifestation of cultural confidence and a shared aspiration of millions of Chinese people.
On April 14, 2022 (the third day of the third lunar month), the Xin Chou Year Yellow Emperor’s Birthplace Ancestor Worship Ceremony was solemnly held in Xinzheng, the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor.
Descendants of the Yellow Emperor from home and abroad gathered in the Central Plains to pay homage to the progenitor of Chinese civilization, Xuanyuan Huangdi, to inherit and promote Yellow River culture, and to pray for the prosperity of the Chinese nation.
Yellow Emperor’s Hometown—A New Landmark of Chinese Culture
Xinzheng City has repeatedly renovated and expanded the Yellow Emperor’s Hometown, expanding the scenic area to over 70,000 square meters. The overall layout emphasizes the theme of “The Root of the Chinese Nation.”
From north to south, it comprises the Ancestor Worship Square, the Hometown Ancestral Hall, and the Chinese Surname Square, forming three major sections: “Heaven, Earth, and Man.”
Zhu Bingren and Zhu Junmin, with their ingenuity, led the Jinxing Copper Engineering team to complete the copper decoration project for the Yellow Emperor’s Hometown Root-Seeking Gate and the Xuanyuan Hall.
- Root-Seeking Gate: The design of the Root-Seeking Gate is inspired by traditional archways, featuring a classical three-section structure. It fully utilizes the number nine and five to represent the highest level, symbolizing supreme authority.
The roof layer uses copper tiles, with 635 square rafters laid in the center. Each rafter extends outwards in a staggered, orderly fashion, creating a beautiful sense of order.
- Xuanyuan Hall: Located in the north of the Ancestor Worship Square, it occupies a central position. The 18,000-square-meter copper decoration area features a corbelled, hipped roof,
with a central dome nine zhang in diameter, symbolizing the vastness of the land. The dome is centered on the Big Dipper,
reflecting the brilliant celestial phenomena of the Yellow Emperor’s birthday, the third day of the third lunar month in 2717 BC.
Nineteen layers of overlapping copper panels create a spatial art, with gold thread decorations along the waistline and rope patterns, representing the evolution of the ancient Chinese system of knotted rope recording.
Why was copper chosen as the building material for the Yellow Emperor’s birthplace?
Copper is a metal that has permeated five thousand years of Chinese history; the love for copper is in the blood of the descendants of Yan and Huang.
The project uses pure copper, perfectly complementing the stone to create a simple yet dignified artistic space.
Special technique: “Spotted Copper” coloring:
A technique jointly developed by masters Zhu Bingren and Zhu Junmin, inheriting ancient coloring techniques and combining them with contemporary technology.
The natural flow of textured patterns creates a stunning visual effect under light and shadow. The colored copper material departs from a single copper color, allowing each component to develop a unique textured pattern.
Copper’s Durability:
Copper is a strong metal, resistant to wear, corrosion, and weathering.
Therefore, buildings constructed with copper are durable and long-lasting, exceeding the durability of many other materials.
Copper’s Aesthetics:
Copper architecture possesses a unique luster and color, adding beauty to any building.
Over time, copper will gradually turn dark brown or green.
According to official sources, the “March 3rd, Worshiping Xuanyuan” Ancestor Worship Ceremony will still be held in Xinzheng, Henan on April 22nd this year.
The second phase of the building complex, including the Surname Hall and Visitor Center, will be unveiled one by one.
The copper decorations on these buildings are still being constructed by Zhu Bingren and his son Zhu Junmin, known as the “Ceiling of Copper Art,” along with their team. Stay tuned for more details!
