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While the group wasn’t able to overturn the Qing dynasty, the secret society persisted, later acquiring the names Hongmen (meaning vast family) and Sanhehui (three harmonious societies).

As the adage goes, those who are freedom fighters to some, are terrorists to others. When Hong Kong was under British rule, all secret societies were made illegal. Branded as triads, a name that comes originally from the Sanhehui, they were regarded as a form of organised crime.

Old Hong Kong triads have been portrayed in films using tea set formations, but their meanings have mostly been lost apart from appearing in a couple of wuxia movies such as Lord of Shanghai (2016) and Gang Master (1982).

In Taiwan, not only were the Hongmen not outlawed in the island state, but it was rumoured that Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek were also members and the group that openly has business interests there to this day. It’s from the stories told by the tea merchants of Taichung, who remember their grandfathers’ knowledge of tea set formations, that the codes live on today.

When members of the secret society enter a tea “safe” house, they should start by resting their hands on the two corners of the table closest to their seat. The wait staff will ask what tea you’d like to drink and by saying red tea, which is phonetically the same as the “hong” in Hongmen, you are signalling you plan to use the tea set codes.

There are four elements to a Chinese tea set. A teapot that holds the hot water, a tea bowl with a lid used to mix the hot water with the tea leaves, multiple cups and the tray that holds it all.

Muyang formation (to identify new members)

A set will arrive with a teapot and two tea bowls; one on the tray and another placed on the table, outside of the tray.

By picking up the tea bowl and placing it back on the tray, and then raising it to toast the person in charge, you signify that you’re a new member to be welcomed to the ranks.

Five stalwart formation (to identify members)

Five cups will be placed on the table, three on the left, two on the right. Members of the Heaven and Earth Society will move the bottom cup from left to right, signifying the restoration of Ming.

Lone horse and sword formation (an SOS)

A single teapot arriving on the table with its spout pointing at the tea bowl means the people of the establishment are in trouble. If the member can help, they would drink the tea; if not, they will ask for another tea.

The four loyalist formation (requesting assistance)

A teapot will be placed with four cups running in a diagonal line to the left. Tea will be poured in the cup according to the type of help needed. The nearest cup, first on the left, means wife and children need to be transported to a safe place, the second cup means they need financial assistance and the third means a member’s life needs saving. The last cup closest to the teapot means a member’s life is in danger. Members who can help will drink the tea, otherwise they will mix the cups up and then drink.

Transport formation

A teapot will arrive with four cups in the tray and two on the outside, which means someone needs to be smuggled through the city gates. Those who can help should place the two cups back onto the tray and declare to “bring loyalty into the city”.

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