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The Qiao’s Family Compound was first built in 1756 in the Qing Dynasty and renovated twice and enlarged once. When people first saw the compound, they were astonished to find that the complex was so large and magnificent; however, few knew that the value of the compound was less than one percent of the family's (fortune) asset. Situated in the central part of Qiao Town, Qi Xian County in Shanxi Province, it occupies an area of 8,274 square meters (about two acres) with a construction area of 3,870 square meters (about one acre).
乔家大院始建于清乾隆二十年（公元1765）,以后经过两次扩建和一次增修.第一次看见大院的人都会惊叹它的规模与壮丽雄伟；然而,很少人知道,大院的价值还不到乔家资产的百分之一.位于山西祁县乔家堡村正中,整个大院占地8724平方米（约2英亩）,建筑面积3870平方（约1英亩）米.
It consists of six main courtyards, twenty smaller courtyards and 313 rooms. The family built the complex like a castle for safety considerations, as well as to create tranquil surroundings in which to relax, away from the furious competition of the business world. With three sides facing the street, it has ten-meter (about 32 feet) high parapet walls (a kind of wall as high as the house, used to keep the yard safe).
它分为六个大院,内套20个小院,313间房屋.大院形如城堡,这是出于安全考虑,也是想创造一个能够放松的安静环境,与繁杂喧闹的商业世界隔离开来.三面临街,四周全是高三丈有余（约32英尺）的封闭式砖墙（与房子同高度,保护院子的安全）.
Some girls in large families could not resist the temptation of the outside world, so they managed to climb up the high wall to look at the outside world that was forbidden to them. Gradually, this kind of wall became known as 'Nv'er' (daughter) wall. The exquisite design and meticulous craftsmanship make these walls unrivalled.
一些大家闺秀无法抗拒外界的诱惑,因此爬上这高墙的探望口观看外面的景色.慢慢地这种墙就被称为女儿墙；其设计之精巧,工艺之精细,确实是无与伦比.
Layout 布局
Viewed from above, the Qiao Compound looks very much like the double Chinese character of 'xi', which means happiness and luck. As one enters through the main gate, an eighty-meter (about 262 feet) long paved path leads to the main hall, at the western end of which, is the ancestral temple of the family. This path divides the compound into two parts: the Southern Yard and the Northern Yard. The Southern Yard is further divided into three sections respectively called the Southeast Yard, the South Yard and the New Yard. The three subdivisions of the Northern Yard are respectively called the Old Yard, the Northwest Yard and the Study Yard.
从高空俯视院落布局,很似一个象征大吉大利的双“喜”字.进入乔家院大门是一条长80米（约262英尺）笔直的石铺甬道直达大堂,西尽头处是乔家祠堂.甬道把六个大院分为南北两排,南面三个大院依次为东南院、南院与新院.北面三个大院,从东往西依次叫老院、西北院、书房院.
The given names reflect the location of the yards within the compound. Another important feature of the compound is the fact that the roof of every house is connected. This makes it easier for guards to protect the yard. What's more, the 140-plus chimneys on the roof all vary from each other in their design. The Qiao Compound gained its renown not only for its large scale but also for the exquisite craftsmanship reflected in the brick carving, woodcarving and murals.
这些命名表现了乔家大院中各个院落的建筑顺序.另一个重要特点是各院房顶有走道相通,这便于守卫夜间巡更护院；即使是房顶上的140余个烟囱也都各有特异.乔家大院之所以誉满海内外,不仅是因其雄伟壮观,更主要的是因其砖雕、木雕、彩绘所体现的精湛建筑技艺.
Brick Carving 砖雕
Brick carvings can be found on the wall and balusters, depicting various subjects such as flowers (traditional propitious pictures in the culture of Shanxi Province). For example, the carving on the corbie-step doorstep of the third yard shows Kylin (a mascot in Chinese culture) carrying a son to a mother figure. They caved this picture in the hope of having more male offspring.
砖雕工艺到处可见,题材广泛,如掩壁和立柱上的花卉（山西文化中的传统吉祥图）.例如,三院大长廊,马头正面的麒麟送子（麒麟是中华文化的吉祥物）；这是希望能多生贵子.
Wood Carving 木雕
The wood carvings are widely praised for they are extremely lifelike and possess some kind of meaning. For example, the carving of the three gods of fortune, prosperity and longevity can be found on the main gate of the second yard. These three gods represent all human desires, so they are very popular in China.
木雕备受赞誉是因其巧夺天工,形象逼真,而且都有其民俗寓意.例如,二院正门的木雕福、禄、寿；这代表人类所有欲望的三星高照图在中国备受欢迎.
Murals 彩绘
Beautiful gold murals are located under each eave of the compound. Some of these paintings portray fables and some others concern more prosaic subjects such as flowers, birds, railway lines, railway stations, clocks, etc. Although exposed to the wind and sun for hundreds of years, they are still shining!
整个大院所有房间的屋檐下部都有漂亮的真金彩绘.内容有人物故事,还有较平凡的花草虫鸟,以及铁道、火车、车站、钟表等多种多样图案.虽然已经历数百年的劲风与烈阳的洗礼,它们还是保持经久不褪,色泽鲜艳.
Tablets牌匾
There are many tablets in the compound, two of which are most valuable.
大院各个门庭所悬的牌匾很多,其中有两块最有价值.
1. The tablet 'ren zhou yi fu' displays the handwriting of Li Hongzhang (1832-1901, a famous general in Chinese history during the Qing Dynasty). At the time when the Qing Army was at war with the invaders, the Qiao Family donated 400,000 taels of silver (705,479 ounces) towards a warship. Li wrote this tablet in praise of their patriotism.
（一）由李鸿章（1832-1901,清朝光绪年间的著名将军）亲自书写的“仁周义溥”.当清军与外国侵略者抗争时,乔家向朝廷捐助40万两银子建战舰,李鸿章题词推崇他们的爱国精神.
2. The tablet 'fu zhong lang huan' was presented to the Qiao Family under the verbal instruction of the Empress Dowager Cixi（1836-1908） who made her escape after the Eight Powers Allied Army seized Beijing. When she arrived in Shanxi Province, the Qiao Family donated 400,000 taels of silver (705,479 ounces) to pay for her journey.
（二）慈禧太后（1836-1908）面谕送给乔家的“福种琅环”.八国联军攻陷北京后,慈禧逃亡至山西时,乔家捐赠40万两银子给她作路费.
【英语牛人团荣誉会员】
