21
20 Natural features are believed to represent animals or figures, such as a girl gathering flowers. Objections on the basis of “fung shui” belief have been raised by villagers when public works have been undertaken. If any project is likely to affect the “fung shui" of an Hakka village, the villagers believe that a "tun fu" ceremony held by a geomancer will safeguard the village. Even in 1912, however, the old ideas of "fung shui" were being modified so far as they proved incompatible with foreign laws and ideas; and nowadays the belief is dying out gradually among the younger generation.124
“Fung Shui” objections also occur in the domestic field, to the opening of windows in a house that faces another or a temple. Such a window is thought to be a voracious tiger. A lamp flashing in the direction of another house is counted equally obnoxious. Such objections are mainly confined to Cantonese, but the Hakka, from their greater belief in animism, are more concerned with the "fung shui” of trees and rocks.
The siting of graves, as already indicated, is also influenced by "fung shui" belief. For the first five years or so, a body is usually buried in an earth grave (wuct chong). Then it is exhumed and the bones are placed in an earthenware funerary pot (kam tap). Such earth graves and earthenware pots are sited in groups where the "fung shui" is good. Building or cultivation near such sites is not permitted. If the family or clan of the deceased is wealthy, then the funerary pot holding the bones is usually installed in a masonry grave, which again is sited according to the principles of "fung shui" belief, usually on a hill (shan fan). A half-circle in front of such a grave with a radius of ten yards is regarded as sacrosanct, and any disturbance of that ground is, by custom, forbidden.
126
Before leaving the subject of land, it should be observed that even in the New Territories, the Chinese customary law may be excepted in cases involving land by the provisions of the Ordinance.3
Marriage
The Chinese customary law of marriage, concubinage, and divorce obtaining in the New Territories does not appear to differ from that same customary law to be found in the Colony.12 From time to time,
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Natural features are believed to represent animals" or figures, such as a gul gathering flowers. Objections on the basis of “fung shui” belief have been raised by villagers when public works have been undertaken. If any project is likely to affect the “fungshui" of an Hakka village, the villagers believe that a "tun fu" ceremony held by a geomancer will safeguard the village Even in 1912, however, the old ideas of "tung shui" were being modified so far as they proved incompatible with foreign laws and ideas? and nowadays the belief
the is dying out gradually among younger generation.
124
"Fung Shui" objections also occur in the domestic field to the opening of windows in a house that faces another or a temple Such a window is thought to be a voracious tiger. A lamp flashing in the direction of another house is counted equally obnoxious. Such objections are mainly confined to Cantonese but the Hakka from their greater belief in animism are more concerned with the "fung shui” of trees and rocks.
The siting of graves, as already indicated, is also influenced by "tung shui" belief For the first five years of so a body is usually buried in an earth grave (huct chong). Then it is exhumed and the bones are placed in an earthenware funerary pot (kam tap).Such earth graves and earthenware pots are sited in groups where the "fung shui" is good. Building or cultivation near such sites is not permitted If the family or clan of the deceased is wealthy then the funerary pot holding the bones is usually installed in a masonry grave, which again is sited according to the principles of "fung shui" belief, usually on a hill (shan fan). A hall circle in front of such a grave with a radius of ten yards is regarded as sacrosanct and any disturbance of that ground is by custom forbidden. 126
Before leaving the subject of land, it should be observed that even in the New Territories the Chinese customary law may be excepted in cases involving land by the provisions of the Ordinance."3
Marriage
The Chinese customary law of marriage, concubinage and divorce obtaining in the New Territories does not appear to differ from that same customary law to be found in the Colony, 12 From time to time,
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