THE TOUR / The Stone Carving and Structure of Leong San Tong
 The name of one of the masonries, Zhang Quan Shun, is carved on the stonework |
Due to the clansmen's generous contribution, a large number of superior quality stone materials have been used for the construction of Leong San Tong. Green, white and pinkish stones are used for the walls from the Prayer Pavilion to the verandah. The walls as well as the stone columns are all delicately carved and even painted.
The stone materials were imported from Amoy, Fujian Province. There were three major contractors. Their names can still be recognised from the ink signatures on the walls. | |
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The stone structure of Leong San Tong can be divided into two categories. The first category includes those used for the groundwork or the rim protection, such as the floor slabs, the rim stones, the wall bases, the corner stones, the staircases and the wall skirtings. They are without elaborate decorations. The second category includes those of structural and decorative functions. They are the columns, the column bases, the wall panels, the door-frames, the lintels, the mullions. the stone lions and the stone drums.
In what follows, the stone materials in Leong San Tong and their features will be described and explained. In the courtyard there is a pair of huge and powerful green stone lions. With the male sitting on the left and the female on the right, they guard the courtyard as well as the clanhouse. In-between them stands a green stone incense burner with the inscription of the "Cheng Soon Keong." | ||
 A pair of giant green stone lions guarding the courtyard of Leong San Tong |
 Green stone joss-stick urn in front of the Cheng Soon Keong | |
In front of the Prayer Pavilion, the "Stone of the Royal Way" which is usually found in the palace protrudes right from the middle of the elevated terrace. A bass-relief of four bats and a Chinese character fu ( ) in round shape appears on its surface, symbolising the arrival of five different types of good fortune (wu fu lin men).
Six octagonal stone columns support the roof truss of the Prayer Pavilion. At the entrance, a pair of uniformed and armed turbaned watchmen with vivid facial expressions bring out a strong and interesting cultural contrast. Connecting the Prayer Pavilion to the main hall is a grand staircase whose balustrades on both sides have bass-relief of plant motifs. At both ends of the handrails, there is a pair of figurines. Resting at the lower ends are two stone monks, one laughing and the other crying-hinting at the interplay of joy and sorrow of human existence. At the upper end of the right handrail stands a stone child who holds a palm-leaf fan and a coin symbolising wealth (zhao cai), while opposite it stands another stone child with a golden ingot symbolising the coming of good fortune (jin bao). Together, this pair represents the aspiration for wealth and prosperity (zhao cai jin bao) 
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 The Stone of the Royal Way with a bass-relief motif symbolises the arrival of five different types of good fortune  The green stone turbaned watchman holding a gun at the entrance of the Prayer Pavilion  The stone panels of the grand staircase is delicately carved | |
 The stone child symbolizes the coming of good fortune (Jin Bao). Together, this pair of stone carvings represents the aspirations for wealth and prosperity (zhao cai jin bao)
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 The stone child symbolizes the beckoning of wealth (zhao cai) |
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