Xiamen is called Cuo because Cuo is an affectionate name for a house and home in the Hokkien language. It is also a traditional residential building of the Hokkien people.
Cuo refers to the entire house, as well as words related to the house. For example, the neighbor is called "Cuo Bian", the landlord or homeowner is called "Cuo Zhu", the big house is called "Da Cuo", the stone house It is called "Shicuo", the wooden house is called "Chaicuo", and the built house is called "Qicuo".
Cuo refers to home, hometown, and related metaphorical uses. For example, home is called "Cuoli", my home is called "Ruan Cuo", and coming to my house to drink tea when you are free is called "come to Ruan Cuo when you are free" Eat tea”.
Cuo is the most commonly used word for place names. It is widely used in small and large villages, almost in all Min-speaking areas in Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Qiong and other places. For example, Xiamen has "Huang Cuo" Song Cuo", Quanzhou has "Xiao Cuo", Putian has "Shi Cuo" and "Qian Cuo", Fuzhou has "Chen Cuo" and "Liang Cuo", Tainan has "Zeng Cuo" and so on. The first character of these village names with the word "cuo" is usually the ancestral surname, single surname or common surname of the village.
Characteristics and styles of houses
The ancient houses in southern Fujian are mainly "official-style houses", so they are also called "imperial palaces". In many areas, they are also called "red brick houses". It is shaped like a palace and is magnificent. It is a typical example of ancient Chinese houses. Its main features are: a front house and a back house, facing south, three or five bays with double guard houses, red brick and white stone walls, and hard hills. style roof and double raised dovetail ridges.
The "light hall and dark room" is a layout feature of ancient houses in southern Fujian. The middle hall is spacious and bright, and is a place for worshiping ancestors, gods and receiving guests. The back wall is mostly partitioned by large wooden doors that can be opened and folded. When closed, it is separated from the rear pavilion. The rear pavilion can be arranged as a small study or a place for secret conversations. On both sides are the east and west large rooms, which are the main living rooms. There is a purlin in front of the large room. It is a place for washing and grooming. There is a back room behind the big room, which is the living room or storage room for maids and concubines.