The surname Yin is prevalent among the population in China. Although it ranks after the hundredth place in the "Hundred Surnames," it accounts for 0.16% of the national population. How can we learn more about their information? Let our Huayi editor now share some basic information about the couplets and generation rankings of the Yin clan's ancestral temples!
![]()
How many characters are there in the Yin clan's ancestral temple couplets?
Four-character couplets
① Originating from the Shang Dynasty; the famous lineage comes from Ruzhou.
This couplet fully describes the origin and main lineage of the Yin surname.
② Glorious reputation in Xingyang; Hongqiao sent letters to the river.
The upper part refers to Yin Pao of the Jin Dynasty, who served as the magistrate of Xingyang. During his tenure, he promoted education and taught the people, making them understand etiquette and humility. At that time, people sang, “The magistrate of Xingyang has outstanding achievements, established schools, changed the nature of the people, making their descendants ashamed of quarrels.” The lower part refers to Yin Xian, a person from Chenjun, Changping, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. His courtesy name was Hongqiao. He had a unique and upright character. When he was the governor of Yujiang, people in the capital entrusted him with more than a hundred letters, which he threw into the river at the Stone City, saying, “Those who sink will sink, those who float will float; I, Yin Hongqiao, cannot be a messenger for others!” Later, he became the Grand Master of Ceremonies.
Six-character couplets
Commander-in-chief of five provinces' military affairs; accumulated merit from a garrison general.
The upper part refers to Yin Hao (c. 312–356), a general of the Jin Dynasty, whose courtesy name was Shen Yuan, from Changping, Chenjun. He was known for his clear-mindedness and love for Laozi and the Book of Changes. He was respected by scholars of his time. In the first year of Jianyuan, he was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief and later served as the commander-in-chief of the military affairs of Yang, Yu, Xu, Chong, and Qing provinces. He took it upon himself to pacify Central China, submitted a memorial for a northern campaign, but failed in battle and was demoted to commoner status without any complaints. The lower part refers to Yin Huaxing, a Wujin scholar of the Kangxi era in the Qing Dynasty, whose courtesy name was Xiru, from Xianyang. He initially served as a guard commander and was later promoted to the position of deputy commander of San屯Ying and then to the general of Taiwan. He eventually reached the position of the Chief Commander of Guangdong.
Seven-character couplets
Discussion gathers the admiration of the times; edicts promote the glory of three generations.
The upper part refers to Yin Hao, son of Yin Xian, from Changping, Chenjun, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He was skilled in discussion and loved the "Laozi" and "Book of Changes." He gained great fame in his youth. In the first year of Jianyuan, he served as the Commander-in-Chief, and during the Yonghe period, he was the Governor of Yangzhou. After the fall of Later Zhao, he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the military affairs of Yang, Yu, Xu, Yuan, and Qing provinces, leading an army to advance into Central China. Later, he was defeated by the Former Qin forces in Xuchang and suffered a major defeat at Shansang due to ambush by Yao Xiang. Huan Wen took the opportunity to submit a memorial attacking him, and he was dismissed as a commoner. The lower part refers to Yin Jingren, from Changping, during the Southern Song Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Wu, he served as the assistant to the Grand Secretary and the Yellow Gate Attendant. During the reign of Emperor Wen, he held the positions of the Assistant Minister, the Secretariat Chief, and the Governor of Yangzhou. Along with Wang Hua and others, he was renowned for his noble character and broad knowledge, standing out among his contemporaries. The court often sought his opinions through confidential letters.
Ten-character couplets
Weary body, Xia'an closed the gate and governed; clear-mindedness, admired for the world's talent.
The upper part refers to the story of Yin Jun, the Inspector of Jiangnan during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Yin Jun, whose courtesy name was Jihuo, was from Changping. People were influenced by his virtue, and he left office when his mother passed away. Later, he became the National Academy Chancellor and died with the posthumous title of Zhen. The lower part refers to Yin Hao of the Jin Dynasty, the Commander-in-Chief.
What is the generation ranking of the Yin family?
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in the east of Hefei, Anhui: “Changfa qixiang zai xi zhi guang bao shi hong mao nai ji yong chang chuan jia zhong zheng hua guo wen zhang.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Feixi, Anhui: “Zheng ben cheng xian zhi.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Feidong, Anhui: “Zheng da guang ming xiu qi ping zhi.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Fengyang, Anhui: “Ke jing zhao kai wen min.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Huangpi, Hubei: “Li zheng yuan gan gang.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Daye, Hubei: “Zu jing zhong si dan xue chao shang rong wei san chu wan dai an bang li shi yong sheng zheng de xian zhang jiao chui yi li fa shou dian chang.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Ezhou, Hubei: “Ji shi yong wei shan.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Huangpi, Hubei: “Li zheng yuan gan gang.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Huangpi, Hubei: “Zheng da guang ming zong (de) zu shi dai (xu) chuan jia bang ren yi li zhi jin chao ge.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Suizhou, Hubei: “Zhi da cai gao shou zheng fa dao yong xi zi (ci) shi.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Wuhan, Hubei: “Xing wang ding jia sheng ke ming cheng zu de.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Huangmei, Hubei, and in Taiwan: “Jin yu dao xuan ming.”
A branch of the Yin clan in Hubei: “Zong zheng fa dao qiao.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Dantu, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu: “Zheng da guang hong chuan jia zhi bao.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Jiangyan, Jiangsu: “Zheng heng wei...”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Ganyu, Jiangsu: “Zi gu cheng zhang tong xu yi xiang xiu ming lun ji jia dao rong chang.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Yancheng, Jiangsu: “Yu qing zhe chang...”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Suzhou, Jiangsu: “Yong shao lin da bu chang yi yue gao ming.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Huai'an, Jiangsu: “Yong shi cheng gong ming.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Binhai, Jiangsu: “Wan bao lin kai fu long.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Meizhou, Sichuan: “Wan Yin Wen Tian Guo Cheng Hong Xiu Shi Fang Da Nian Kai Fu Gui Xian Zu Zhen Jia Bang.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Luzhou, Sichuan: “Shi shi de chang cun zun shou chao ting jun zhong xiao wei jia guo li dai si fang heng.”
A branch of the Yin clan in Sichuan: “Wan guo shan ming shi ze xian.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Chengdu, Sichuan: “Zhao mu qing fan xiang qing jin shou de zhi yu shan guang ru hao duan jing bao ming bang.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Guanghan, Deyang, Sichuan: “Shi shi deng chao tai ming liang kai jing yong cheng quan xian ying de zuo shu zhao jia long.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Qitian Town, Mianzhu: “Tian kai wen yun sheng xiu zhen de di zhang qian kun wan dai chang fu gui yong rong chang.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Jiulong Town, Mianzhu: “Hong ji xian tian cheng wen zhang ke li ming shi dai an bang ce yuan yong yuan feng chao ting.”
A branch of the Yin clan in Mianzhu, Sichuan: “Wen zhang ke li ming shi dai an bang ce yuan yong yuan feng chao ting.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Jinxi, Jiangxi: “Ren pan guo shi lian wan dai.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Pengze, Jiangxi: “De yong chuan fang jin ming cheng da li.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Jiujiang, Jiangxi: “Jin yu dao xuan ming rong hua qing yan ting.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Tonghua, Jilin: “Jing kui xiu shi zhen.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Zhaoyuan, Heilongjiang: “Xi ting shang shu xian yu pei song zhong ming.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Yichun, Heilongjiang: “Wen guo yong hong li jing you.”
The generation ranking of a branch of the Yin clan in Yunnan: “Luan shi wen de qi kai guo xing wan min tian chao yong chang cun biing xue fa jia xiu.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Dongchuan, Yunnan: “Luan shi wen feng qi xue fa kai xin.”
The generation ranking of the Yin clan in Japan (いん): “Zong chao yi zheng guang xian qi jia guo yong xue zu shang xing de guang hong kai cheng pu zhao biing wen chang da san yuan deng.”










