Can you spot the good wishes hidden in traditional Chinese architecture? In the second episode of the Chinese Culture Quiz Challenge, South reporter Nick puts Max, a Mexican influencer with 10 million followers, to the test at Guangzhou's Chen Clan Academy.
Through a True or False game, the pair explore the meanings behind traditional roof decorations, revealing how Chinese culture expresses wishes for good fortune, happiness and family prosperity through symbols and wordplay.
The first question is about deer. Nick asks whether deer symbolize a smooth journey through life. Max answers confidently, connecting the Chinese word for deer, lu (鹿), with lu (路), meaning "road."
The wordplay gives deer a special place in traditional Chinese decorative art. When six deer appear together, they can represent liuliu dashun (六六大顺), an expression wishing for everything to go smoothly. The decoration becomes more than an artistic detail: It conveys a wish for a life without obstacles.
For the next question, Nick points to a pomegranate and asks whether the fruit symbolizes wealth. Max says yes, only to discover that the answer is false.
Instead, pomegranates traditionally represent duo zi duo fu (多子多福), meaning "more children, more blessings." Cut one open and its many seeds offer a visual metaphor for a thriving family, descendants and continuity across generations.
Max admits that the question is more difficult than the first, but he quickly understands the symbolism once Nick explains it.
Reflecting on the experience, Max says the carvings, patterns and small figurines at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall are full of symbolism and clever wordplay. Visitors could spend hours exploring the site without running out of things to learn, he says.
Built in the late Qing Dynasty, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is renowned for its intricate Lingnan architectural decorations. Its carvings and sculptures preserve not only artistic craftsmanship but also the hopes and values of the people who created them.
Sometimes, understanding a building means looking beyond its beauty to uncover the blessings hidden in every detail.
Reporter | Li Fangwang
Cameraman | Li Fangwang, Xu Anrui
Video editor | Li Fangwang
Poster | Li Fangwang
Photos | Li Fangwang
