The Xie family of Simen has always been a prominent family in Yaobei and has been known as a prominent family in Yaojiang since the Ming Dynasty. The Xie family of Simen is the descendant of Xie An of Dongshan, who was famous for commanding the Battle of Feishui in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and was awarded the title of Taifu. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, Xie An's 30th-generation grandson Xie Changer moved to Yuyao and settled there. By the fifth year of Chenghua in the Ming Dynasty (1469), the descendants had multiplied to more than 500 people in the tenth generation. During the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty (1505-1521), Xie Qian (i.e. Xie Ge Lao), the tenth-generation grandson of Xie Changer, proposed to build a clan temple in Houtang River (the full name is "Simen Xie Clan Ancestral Temple", commonly known as the Big Ancestral Temple). When it was first built, there was only one entrance. The second entrance was added during the Jiajing period, and the third entrance was added during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. The three Taifu of the Xie family, as well as Xie Heng, the ancestor of the Xie family of Dongshan, and Xie Changer, the ancestor of the Xie family of Simen, were enshrined. The sacrificial ceremony of the Xie Clan Ancestral Temple in Simen began during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of about 500 years. There is a set of standardized procedures for sacrifices. Different sacrificial items are arranged every year during the New Year's Day, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, summer sacrifice, autumn sacrifice, winter solstice, New Year's Eve and other seasons. Among them, the Lantern Festival sacrifice is more grand and lively because it coincides with the Lantern Festival. The Simen Xie family has been multiplying in Simen for 28 generations, with a population of nearly 5,000. The descendants of the Simen Xie family who have moved to other places have grown to nearly 10,000. On the Lantern Festival in 2008, the Xie family ancestral hall held the first Lantern Festival sacrifice after the founding of New China. In 2009 and 2010, the Lantern Festival sacrifices were held continuously. Not only did the 18 branches of the Simen Xie family gather to worship, but also the staff of the Zhejiang Dongshan Cultural Research Association and relatives from Shanghai, Jiangsu Xinyi, Anhui Suzhou, Tongxiang, Shangyu, Taizhou and other places came to worship. It reflects the traditional idea and clan sentiment of the Chinese nation to seek roots and worship ancestors. Through sacrifice, we remember the merits of our ancestors, thus establishing a sense of honor of loving the country, family and clan, strengthening family cohesion and creating a harmonious social atmosphere. Information source: Ningbo Cultural Center (Ningbo Exhibition Hall Ningbo Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) Information source: Ningbo Cultural Center (Ningbo Exhibition Hall Ningbo Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)