The Sun Toi, or ancestral altar, is a major feature in a traditional kung fu school. It is usually a main focal point upon entry to the training area. There are many features to the Sun Toi. You can read more about the Sun Toi in our article, “The Sun Toi – Ancestral Altar”
Hanging above the altar and down the sides, you can find the school’s signboards. These are boards with carefully carved Chinese characters that have a special meaning that relates to the style of kung fu. The top board, above the altar, is usually the name of the style itself, such as “Hung Ga Kuen,” meaning “Hung Family Fist.” They are read from right to left, in the same way that Traditional Chinese text was written.
The vertical boards down the sides are read from top to bottom. These demonstrate a theory, philosophy, motto or poem that relates to the kung fu style. They have an equal amount of characters on either board for symmetry.
Meet Aimee Williamson, owner of HollanDesign, and her mum, “Without her, no work would get done.” Aimee was commissioned to make the signboards for Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy, Inverness. Aimee does everything herself. From taking the orders, to designing, buying timber, marking and preparing timber, operating the CNC machine, painting and finishing. Aimee sends her designs through her computer to her CNC machine. This carves the boards to the exact specifications of the design. The inner vertical black boards are coated with an ebony timber treatment. The top, horizontal and outer vertical boards are carved in American white oak and have been coated with Treatex UV oil. All the carvings are painted with acrylic paints.
Due to the pandemic we were unable to meet with Aimee to discuss details. All communication was through messages. We only met Aimee for the first time when we collected the signboards upon completion. The signboards have been designed to custom fit around the window architrave where our Sun Toi is situated. Aimee has made a grand job of them too.
Read right to left, word-for-word, the top horizontal board reads:
“Simon Hung Family Fist National Art Society.” Simon, being the first name of the chief instructor of the Inverness branch, Sifu Simon Hepple. Hung Family Fist is the style of kung fu practiced at the school. National art is translated as martial art.
The board furthest to the right reads:
“The disciples of the Hung Family are everywhere.” Meaning that Hung Ga kung fu has spread across the world.
The board furthest to the left reads:
“Fist techniques astonish ancient and modern.” Basically meaning that the techniques taught from ancient times are still relevant today and for the rest of time.
On the inside, right and left, boards, in black and gold, is a list of the twelve bridges. This is a philosophy which Hung Ga styles all over the world are renowned for. In order, from the right hand side, they read:
Gong, Yau, Bik, Jik, Fun, Ding, Chuen.
The inside, left board finishes the twelve bridges and adds two characters for symmetry:
Tai, Lau, Wan, Jai, Deng, San, Haw.
The last two characters (San & Haw) literally mean “mountain river.” The reference to “mountain” and “river” refers to very different environments for which the 12 bridges would still be applicable. Basically, it is a shorthand way of saying that the 12 bridges are applicable everywhere.
You will notice a round mirror and red ribbon that is located centrally on the top signboard. This is similar to the mirrors on traditional lion dance heads. Its purpose is to reflect good fortune into the school. You may also notice the peacock feathers or Jam Foh (triangle feather) at the sides of this board. These also bring luck and good fortune to the school. In traditional kung fu schools, the angle to which the feathers are pointed has a special significance and meaning too.