Cheung Chau Rock Carvings

Cheung Chau Rock Carvings was found in 1970 and it is one of the eight Ancient Rock Carvings in Hong Kong which also include Shek Pik, Po Toi Island and Wong Chuk Hang etc. It has also been one of the Declared monuments of Hong Kong since 1982. As there is no literary record which can throw the slightest light on their origin, it is difficult to establish who, how and by whom the carvings were made. However, it was found that the patterns of the rock carvings resemble those on Bronze Age stamped geometric pottery and bronze vessels and there was an Inference that it was carved in the same age. It also means that the ancestors arrived at Cheung Chau at least 3,000 years ago in the Bronze Age. The pattern on the rock carvings is basically composed of geometric patterns and curve lines and it may symbolize clouds, thunder or other forces of nature. There are also some patterns of people and animals which may represent tribal totems or deities of ancient times. Furthermore, ancestors mostly made their life by fishing in the old days and they particularly worshiped nature. Carving on the big rocks at the seashore may be for making marks or religious purposes. As Fishers always wish for fair wind and calm sea, pattern on the carve may be related to subduing the rough sea and safeguarding their sailing journey.