An unmistakable sense of grandeur. That is felt immediately upon walking into Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall. The building reflects the founding clan’s wealth and prestige in 1751. The structure was built in celebration of their good fortune. In fact, the name of the hall itself is a nod to the Lius’ prosperity. “Man shek” translates to “ten thousand stones”. It is a unit of measurement in Imperial China. The hall is said to be named in honour of the clan’s distant ancestor Liu Kong and his four sons. They had a total annual salary of ten thousand “stones”.
The Lius are one of the Five Great Clans of the New Territories. They originated from Fujian. They put down their roots in Hong Kong during the Yuan dynasty. The family established their ancestral stronghold in Sheung Shui over the centuries. The stronghold grew to its apogee in the eighteenth century.
As their first and main ancestral hall, the Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall is among the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. It is also richly embellished from floor to ceiling, inside and out.
Visitors are first greeted by a distinctive red-stone entryway. Next is a pitched tiled roof. It is supported by imposing stone and wooden columns. Then you are introduced to an interior. It is done up with plaster mouldings and wood carvings.
The founding ancestor of the Liu clan in Sheung Shui was Liu Chung-kit. He migrated from Fujian to Guangdong in the middle of Yuan dynasty. Initially he settled in Tuen Mun. Later he lived in the village of Futian, north of the Shenzhen River. Finally, he put down roots in the area around the Sheung Yue River in Sheung Shui. From there his descendants later spread far and wide.
In the 18th century, the Lius were very rich and prosperous. This was reflected in the erection of the main ancestral hall. It was built in the early years of the Yongzheng reign. Later it was restored in the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty. It is a typical three-hall, two-courtyard building. It is richly embellished with plaster mouldings, wood carvings and murals. Auspicious motifs and pictures adorn the walls.
In 1932, the ancestral hall was converted into Fung Kai School. It provided modern education. The school was moved to new premises in 1974. Restoration works on the Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall were undertaken in 1984 and 1994. Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall was declared a monument in 1985.
You’ll find the ancestral hall buzzing with activity during the annual Spring Rite. It is the most significant clan event of the year. It is held on the second day of the second Lunar month. The ceremony venerates the clan’s progenitors. It worships deities like the Dragon God and God of the Earth. In addition to lighting incense, presenting prayers and offerings, there’s also a sumptuous poon choi banquet. There is a roast pig-cutting ritual to close the festivities.