The Tang Clan () is one of the Great Five Clans (???) of Hong Kong. The others are Man (Wen), Hau (Hou), Pang (Peng) and Liu (Liao). The Tangs originated from Jishui (??) of Jiangxi province and are considered to be native Hong Kong people, as they were the first immigrants to settle in what is now Hong Kong from what is now mainland China in the 11th century. Many of the Tangs settled in Kam Tin, New Territories^[1]. The most famous Tang village is Kat Hing Wai, a walled village with moat. This was the last village to fall under British control in the late 1800s.

The Tangs in Lung Yeuk Tau (???), in Fanling, have the strongest claim to the royal descent among their fellow clansmen, because they are the descendants of the eldest son, Tang Lum (??) of the princess of the southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).

The father of the princess was Emperor Gaozong of Song (June 12, 1107 ? November 9, 1187), born Zhao Gou, was the tenth emperor of the Song Dynasty of China, and the first emperor of the Southern Song. He reigned from 1127 to 1162. He fled south after the Jurchens overran Kaifeng in the Jingkang Incident, hence the beginning of the Southern Song dynasty 1127-1279. Gaozong re-established his seat of government in Lin'an (??; today's Hangzhou).

When the princess took refuge in the south, she was married to Tang Wai-Kap (???) of Kam Tin by Wai-Kap's father, Tang Yeun-Leung (???). The eldest son of the royal couple moved to Lung Yeuk Tau at the end of the Yuan dynasty. As the clan prospered it further branched out to the neighbouring area, establishing the present-day "Five Wais and Six Tsuens" within a few hundred years.

The "Five Wais (walled villages)" (??) include Lo Wai, Ma Wat Wai, Wing Ning Wai, Tung Kok Wai (also known as Ling Kok Wai), San Wai (also called Kun Lung Wai). The "Six Tsuens (villages)" (??) are Ma Wat Tsuen, Wing Ning Tsuen (also called Tai Tang), Tsz Tong Tsuen, San Uk Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Kun Lung Tsuen.

The Tang family is the oldest, largest and most famous of the New Territories' Chinese lineages. It has been settled in the area for just over 900 years and has a long history of local dominance. It has also produced many famous scholars and officials in the tradition of large, wealthy Chinese lineages.

The Tangs of the area still practise traditional village customs. Apart from the communal worship in spring and autumn and Tin Hau Festival, a lantern lighting ceremony is also held for the new born baby boys on the fifteenth day of the first Lunar month. On the first day of the second Lunar month there are ancestral worship ceremony and vegetarian feast. Moreover, Tai Ping Ching Chiu Festival (meaning "the Purest Sacrifice Celebrated for Great Peace") is held once every decade and celebrated by the whole Tang Clan as well as people from the neighbouring villages.

Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall

Main article: Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall

Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall

The rear hall is divided into three chambers. The central chamber houses the soul tablets of the ancestors of the clan including the soul tablets of the Song princess and her husband Wai-Kap whose posthumous title was Fu Ma (Chinese: ??) Tang Wai-Kap (husband of a princess). Their soul tablets were elaborately carved with dragon head, which distinguished them from the others. The chamber to the left is dedicated to the ancestors who had made significant contributions to the clan or those who achieved high ranks in the imperial court. The chamber to the right, on the other hand, is for the righteous members of the clan, one of whom is Tang Si-meng, a brave servant who saved the life of his master. In the late 16th century, he was kidnapped with his master. Claiming to be the son of his master, he volunteered to be detained by the kidnappers in exchange for the release of his master to raise ransom. After the departure of his master, he jumped into the sea and sacrificed himself. He was awarded the posthumous title of "Loyal Servant" and worshiped in this hall.

The whole building is decorated with fine wood carvings, polychrome plaster mouldings, and murals of auspicious motifs. Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall was declared a monument in November 1997.

Famous members

• Tang Fu-Hip (???)
  • Successfully passed the Imperial Examination and was awarded the Metropolian Graduate Jin Shi (??) degree during the reign of Hei Ning (1068-1077)
  • Status: ?????? - Magistrate of Yeung Chun county (?)

• Tang Yeun-Leung (???)
  • Great grandson of Tang Fu-Hip
  • Status: ?????????? - Garrison Commander of the northern Kiangsi (Jiangxi) town of Kim chau (??)

See also

• Punti
• Ping Shan

References