Liu Clan Ancestral Hall in Wugou Village Introduction
During the Qing Dynasty, many Hakka immigrants gradually settled and cultivated the area around Wanjin in Pingtung. As the immigrant population grew, the area of reclamation expanded, leading to the formation of Wugou Village. Wugou Village is a Hakka settlement that still preserves many historical sites over a hundred years old, such as the Liu Clan Ancestral Hall, Jinshi Hall, Wu Family Storehouse, Half-Moon Pond, Guanhai Mountain House, Zhongyong Shrine, Zhong Family Ancient House, Yingquan Zen Temple, and Nanze Uncle, which together form a cultural landscape of Wugou settlement, with the Liu Clan Ancestral Hall being the most famous. The Liu Clan Ancestral Hall is the most well-preserved Hakka courtyard building in southern Taiwan. Inside the hall, various inscriptions can be found encouraging descendants to be virtuous and diligent in their studies, such as "Be modest and respectful in dealing with others; be filial and obedient at home," "Patience is the gateway to virtue; good deeds are family treasures," and "First-class people are loyal ministers and filial sons; the two duties are studying and farming." These inscriptions illustrate the Liu clan's emphasis on knowledge and cultivation, laying a strong foundation for future prosperity. The Liu ancestors came from the Hakka community in Zhao Fu Village, Zhenping County, Jiaying Prefecture, Guangdong Province, and are verified direct descendants of Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty. Beginning in 1780 (45th year of Qianlong), Liu descendants gradually arrived in Wugou Water to reclaim land. The Liu Clan Ancestral Hall was founded in 1864 (3rd year of Tongzhi). Initially, the ancestral hall consisted of only two side halls, and later, "Chongguang Tower" and "Ranli Pavilion" were added along with gardens, Baroque-style walls, and a mandarin duck pavilion, all of which demonstrate the power and status of the Liu family at that time. The beams, door panels, stone pillars, incense burners, and painted pottery came from the southern Fujian region of mainland China, while the entrance and roof sides featured a swallowtail design, with the front entrance's swallowtail lines elegantly curving upward, embellished with decorative carvings. The swallowtail shape of the main hall is more simple, with the ridge adorned with hollowed floral tiles. The swallowtail architecture symbolizes the clan members' aspirations for academic achievements and high official positions. The ancestral hall faces west to the east, surrounded by lush flowering trees near the gatehouse, with a pair of stone lions at the entrance and a gently flowing stream in front of the wall, symbolizing the continuation of the Liu family lineage and abundance of wealth. The overall environment is elegant and serene. From the architectural layout of the Liu Clan Ancestral Hall, one can see the deep-rooted concept of honoring ancestors among early Hakka people, as well as their emphasis on geographic and Feng Shui considerations.
