Tin Hau Temple

Tin Hau Ancient Temple

Introduction

Legend has it that Tin Hau (also known as Mazu) is the guardian deity of fishermen, which is why Tin Hau Temples are commonly found in Hong Kong’s fishing villages. The Tin Hau Ancient Temple on Lamma Island has a long history, with construction dating back to 1870 or even earlier. A pair of stone lions in front of the temple features a Western-style design. It is said that when the temple was rebuilt in the 1960s, mainland China was experiencing political turmoil and no stone lions were being exported. Members of the local community then sought out a stonemason from the island who specialized in carving Western-style lions. Finding the Western-style lions acceptable, they created this unique blend of Eastern and Western elements. Fun Fact: When visiting the Tin Hau Temple, don’t miss the ancient whale bone on display inside. Lin Fa Kung Tin Hau Temple is located next to the Lin Fa Kung Tin Hau Temple on Lamma Island. The famous wishing tree in Lam Tsuen is situated in Lam Tsuen Village, Tai Po, in Hong Kong’s New Territories, and is a well-known spot for making wishes. The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees are actually two large banyan trees. Local villagers regard these trees as sacred beings, and offer incense, joss paper, and coins at their roots to pray and make wishes. Later, people began making “wishing plaques” (宝牒), writing their wishes on them, and tying them to weights (originally stones, but more recently oranges) before tossing them onto the tree branches. If the plaque didn’t fall, it was believed the wish would come true. Fun Fact: This tradition became widely known, attracting many Hong Kong residents and even tourists to the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree to make wishes. The busiest times are during the Lunar New Year period.

Fun Fact: This tradition became widely known, attracting many Hong Kong residents and even tourists to the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree to make wishes, with the busiest crowds during the Lunar New Year period.

Lin Mo, also called Mo Niang, was affectionately known to the public as “Auntie,” “Granny,” or “Mazu.” She was from Putian.

Born on the 23rd day of the third lunar month in the first year of the Jianlong era of the Song Dynasty (960 AD) into an official family on Meizhou Islet in Putian County. She did not cry even once from birth until she was one month old, and thus was named “Mo” (meaning silent), also called “Mo Niang.” Her great-grandfather Baoji served in the Zhou military as a commanding officer but resigned and lived in seclusion on Meizhou. Her grandfather Fu inherited the family's honors and served as the Fujian Provincial Commander. Her father Yuan held the position of Coastal Patrol Inspector of Fujian during the early Song Dynasty. Mo Niang was exceptionally intelligent—by age eight, she could understand the general meaning of texts while reading with her tutor. As she grew older, she developed a fondness for chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha. She... More details about Lin Mo ++