Huawu Tin Hau Temple

Huawu Tin Hau Temple

Huawu Tin Hau Temple is located at No. 4, Dalu, Huawu Neighborhood Committee, Dahua Subdistrict, Jinping District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province (at the end of Huawu Village). It was first built in the fifth year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1740). The temple faces west and is 10.6 meters wide and 14.2 meters deep, covering a total area of 470.78 square meters with a construction area of 245.96 square meters. It adopts a post-and-lintel raised-beam structure with a flush-gable roof, built using lime plaster and fir wood. The two main pillars at the front gate are adorned with hexagonal dragon columns, while the left and right walls feature bas-reliefs of floral patterns, dragons, fish, and depictions of Mazu’s miracles. The roof is inlaid with porcelain, the door frame features stone carvings and reliefs, with red beams and blue rafters. Inside, the timber framework uses a three-rafter, five-bracket design. Above the main entrance hangs a stone plaque inscribed with the three characters “Tin Hau Temple” (天后宫) in relief-style regular script, which dates back to the temple’s founding. The door couplets and pillar inscriptions still reflect the influence of the Putian salt worker surnamed Lin who initiated the temple’s construction. It is a rare relic of folk culture in downtown Shantou and holds significant value for the study of the spread of Mazu culture, the development history of Shantou as a treaty port, and temple architectural culture.

Lin Mo, also known as Mo Niang, is affectionately called “Auntie,” “Goddess Mother,” or “Mazu” by the people. She was from Putian.

Born on the 23rd day of the third lunar month in the first year of the Jianlong reign during the Song Dynasty (960) into an official family on Meizhou Island, Putian County. Until she reached full moon, she never cried, hence her name “Mo” (“Silent”), also referred to as “Mo Niang.” Her great-grandfather Baoji served as a military commander under the Zhou Dynasty but resigned from office and lived in seclusion on Meizhou. Her grandfather Fu inherited his family’s honors and served as the Fujian Regional Commander. Her father Yuan held the position of Fujian Patrol Inspector during the early Song Dynasty. Mo Niang was exceptionally intelligent—by the age of eight, she could grasp the general meaning of texts read by her private tutor. As she grew older, she enjoyed chanting sutras and worshipping Buddha. … More details about Lin Mo ++