Why is Andy Lau’s name carved on a 600-year-old brick from the Ming dynasty?

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Holly ChikMarch 15, 2026 at 02:00 PM

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A 600-year-old brick bearing the name "Liu Dehua," identical to Hong Kong star Andy Lau's Chinese name, has surfaced on the Nanjing city wall, built during the Ming dynasty. The brick, now housed in the Nanjing City Wall Museum, identifies the namesake as a brickmaker from Jiangxi province. The inscription, which includes the origin, official in charge, and the maker's name, is part of a unique quality-control system used during the Ming dynasty. The practice of inscribing bricks was specific to the Nanjing city wall. The brick gained attention after a film commemorating the wall's 660th anniversary was released.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

National Cultural Heritage Administration 40% People's Daily 40% Nanjing City Wall Museum 50% Jiangxi Province 50% China 60% Ming Dynasty ×270% Nanjing ×470% Andy Lau 80% Andy Lau Tak-wah 90%

Keywords

andy lau 100% ming dynasty 90% nanjing city wall 80% ancient brick 70% brickmaker 60% chinese characters 50% quality control 50% cultural heritage 40%

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South China Morning Post

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andy lau ming dynasty nanjing city wall ancient brick brickmaker chinese characters quality control cultural heritage

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