By love-89.com On October 18, the Secretary-General of the World Li Clan Association and the Taiwan Li Clan Association, Li Jianguo, shared a profound observation: “The historical record of our nation is intertwined with our ambitions and family lineage. These aged family trees hold not only the roots and emotions of our homeland but also the enduring legacy of Chinese civilization.”
The gathering took place during a rainy autumn day in Longyao County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province, in celebration of the 2,337th anniversary of the birth of Li’s ancestor, Tan Gong, along with the global Li Clan ancestral ceremony for 2024. Over 800 members of the Li clan from around the world attended the ceremony, contributing more than 630 family genealogy books for an exchange exhibition.
Longyao is renowned as the “Holy Land of Tang Yao and the Hometown of the Li Clan,” with a rich historical background. Historical records indicate that during the Warring States period, the famous general Li Tan was honored as the Marquis of Baoren in the state of Zhao for his contributions, and he was buried in the western part of Baoren City (modern-day Shuangbei Township in Longyao County). Li Tan had four sons, with the eldest, Li Ji, establishing a prosperous lineage known as the “Zhao County Li.” Meanwhile, his first son, Li Chong, moved westward to Longxi, where his descendants became known as the “Longxi Li.”
Li Zhajie, president of the Zhao County Li Clan Friendship Association in Longyao, highlighted the significance of the area as a key origin for the Li Clan. “Since hosting the Global Li Clan Reunion in 2018, we have seen clan members gather here annually every October for cordial meetings and ancestral ceremonies,” he explained. To enhance communication and trace their roots, this year they showcased over 630 family genealogy books from around the world.
Li Zhajie remarked, “Genealogy records are vital for identifying bloodlines, understanding our ancestry, uniting families, and preserving cultural traditions. This exhibition features the largest collection of Li genealogies ever displayed, with some documenting over 40 generations, making them exceptionally valuable.”
According to Wang Daliang, a scholar of surname and genealogy culture and the former executive chairman of the Surname Culture Working Committee of the Chinese Yanhuang Culture Research Association, “Currently, there are over 100 million individuals with the surname Li in China. The foundation of Chinese traditional culture is built upon each surname. To be effectively utilized in contemporary society, surname culture must integrate with our excellent traditional culture.”