Xinpu Liu Family Ancestral Shrine

The Xinpu Liu Family Ancestral Shrine, also known as the Liu Clan Ancestral Temple, is located at No. 230, Heping Street, Xinsheng Village, Xinpu Township, Hsinchu County. In the third year of the Tongzhi reign (1864) of the Qing Dynasty, Liu clan members from the same origin and lineage in the Xinpu area jointly funded the construction of the ancestral shrine, which was completed in April of the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign (1867). The Xinpu area was originally known as Zhushan or Zhujianpu. After the ban on immigrants bringing their families to Taiwan was lifted during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, a large number of immigrants from eastern Guangdong began to settle in this area. Among them, the Cai, Chen, Pan, Zhu, Liu, and Guo families were considered prominent clans. The Liu clan members who established the ancestral shrine arrived in this area around the early Qianlong reign, embarking on reclamation and settlement ventures. The primary initiators of the ancestral shrine's construction were Liu Chaoyuan, 15th generation descendant, and Liu Shihe, 17th generation descendant, both from the lineage of Liu Guxiang, the founding ancestor from Shijing Village, Raoping County, Chaozhou Prefecture, Guangdong Province. Liu Rongguang from Xinpu Street donated the land, and Liu Songmao and Liu Wanyong from Xinpu Street, Liu Tingzhang from Dahanfang Village, and Liu Jiawan from Xinxiongda divided the contributions into five shares, with Liu Shihe overseeing the project. The Xinpu Liu Family Ancestral Shrine is dedicated to Liu Rong, the grandfather of Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, who is the common ancestor of the Liu family, as well as the ancestral tablets of successive generations of great-great-grandparents. Currently, it is managed by several ancestral worship associations, including Liu Rong Gong, Liu Rong Gong Chang, Liu Ding Zi Chang, Liu Jia Ci, and Chui Yu Chang. This type of ancestral worship group, formed through kinship and shared regional origin, is a typical feature of early immigrant societies. It also reflects the Hakka immigrants' objectives of survival and defense during the initial stages of settlement and reclamation. The Xinpu Liu Family Ancestral Shrine is a single-entry building with three lateral wings and an encircling house, featuring swallowtail ridges. What is referred to as 'Hengwu' (lateral house) in Hakka architecture is generally known as 'Hulong' (guardian wing). On the roofs of the lateral wings, swallowtail ridges coexist with 'mabei' (horse-backed walls), a rare architectural practice in Taiwan. The ancestral hall in the center of the Liu Family Ancestral Shrine is the core of the entire complex and its main worship space, where annual spring and autumn rituals are held. The nearly square front courtyard, enclosed by low walls, serves as a venue for family gatherings. The lateral wings on both sides are the living quarters for descendants. Above the lintel of the ancestral hall in the Liu Family Ancestral Shrine, three plaques are hung, inscribed with 'Liu Clan Ancestral Temple', 'Wenkui' (Literary Champion), and 'Enyuan' (Imperial Favor). Two additional plaques, 'Ben Zhi Bai Shi' (A Hundred Generations of This Lineage) and 'Yuan Yuan Liu Chang' (Long and Enduring Source), are suspended on the crossbeams. 'Ben Zhi Bai Shi' was personally inscribed by Liu Mingdeng, the General Commander of Taiwan, and erected in the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign (1867). The shrine inside the hall features exquisite carvings, and above it hangs a plaque inscribed with 'Li Zhao Dong Ying' (Light Illuminating the East Seas), though the date is not specified. The grand timber structure of the eaves corridor in front of the hall also displays equally elaborate carvings, adding a solemn and magnificent atmosphere to the entrance of the main hall.