Walking on the ancient streets in Huizhou, we can always find some old wells with unique and different shapes. 

穿行在惠州的古街老巷中，总能看到形制各异的古井。

In the past, people used to live by the wells and would share a well with their neighbors. In the traditional agricultural-based society, apart from providing water for daily life, wells adopted various cultural features, becoming a symbol of belief for people to pray to for the harvest and good weather.

古代人聚井而居，共井为邻，在特定的农耕历史背景下，井的文化外延甚至逐渐突破最初的汲水功能，成为百姓寄托愿景、祈求风调雨顺的信仰载体。

With the advance of modern society, although a large number of wells do not provide water any more, they have started to become objects synonymous with “home” and a carrier of the homesickness felt by many, recording the memories of those who have lived alongside them. 

随着时代的发展变迁，如今不少古井的饮用功能正在逐渐褪去，演变为百姓心中故乡的标志，成为乡愁的载体。

点击查看原文>>>

来源 | 羊城晚报·羊城派
责编 | 陈婉允