WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE

Description

Essentials about the Wong Tai Sin Temple in brief

The Wong Tai Sin Temple is the most important temple complex in Hong Kong. It is the home of three different religions: Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. The popularity of the Wong Tai Sin Temple among followers of these faiths is probably explained by its high standard: this is no less than making every wish come true. Tourists are more likely to come for the wonderfully decorated buildings of the temple complex. Thus, Wong Tai Sin Temple is not only an important religious center, but also a picturesque sight.

The history of the Wong Tai Sin Temple

The sprawling temple compound occupies an area of 18,000 square meters. It is located on the south side of Lion Rock in the north of Kowloon. While most other Chinese temples in Hong Kong are already several centuries old, the Wong Tai Sin Temple is relatively young. It was built in its current form only at the beginning of the 20th century. The temple was built in honor of Wong Tai Sin, a shepherd from the Chinese province of Zhejiang, who lived in the 4th century. According to the legend, the shepherd boy learned from one of the Daoist immortals how to cure all diseases. In addition, he is said to have learned from the immortal how to predict the future. No wonder Wong Tai Sin was revered like a deity (his first name “Tai Sin” translates as “Almighty God”).

In 1915, Taoist priest Leung Renyan brought a sacred portrait of Wong Tai Sin to Hong Kong from Guangdong, located in southern China. He rented an apartment in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong Island, where he built an altar to Wong Tai Sin. Later, Leung Renyan opened a medicinal herb store nearby, where he set up the alter in a back room. His customers prayed to Wong Tai Sin at the altar while Leung Renyan prepared herbal mixtures for them. Thus, Wong Tai Sin became more and more popular over time.

However, in 1918, a fire destroyed Leung’s store. Wong Tai Sin is said to have appeared to the priest himself to give him the news of where to build his temple. In 1921, the new temple was finally completed on a lonely piece of land in northern Kowloon. Until 1956, only Taoists and their family members were allowed to enter the temple; since then, it has been open to the public. In 1968, the old temple was demolished and replaced by the present Wong Tai Sin Temple. The precious first portrait of Wong Tai Sin still stands inside the temple today.

The buildings of the Wong Tai Sin Temple

The buildings of the Wong Tai Sin Temple are not only magnificent to look at, they were also designed according to a certain system. Those who know a little about Feng Shui will recognize structures in the temple structure that represent the five elements. The Bronze Pavilion represents the element of metal, the Archive Hall represents the element of wood, the Yuk Yik Fountain signifies the element of water, the Earth Wall embodies the element of earth, and the element of fire is represented by the Yue Heung Shrine. The Buddha of the Illuminating Lamp is worshipped in this shrine. The path to the shrine is spanned by a mighty three-part archway with the name of the temple engraved on the front. There are two more such arches on the temple grounds.

Other areas of the Wong Tai Sin Temple include the Hall of the Three Saints, the Confucian Hall, the so-called Nine Dragon Wall with nine artistically carved dragons, and the colorful Good Wish Garden, generously decorated with chinoiserie. Also located on the temple grounds are a traditional Chinese pharmacy and even a hospital in memory of Wong Tai Sin, who, as mentioned earlier, was able to cure people of all diseases. In addition, more than 100 fortune-telling practices await the faithful (and tourists) to tell them the future. Those who want to know their future should definitely negotiate the price with the fortune teller / fortune teller beforehand (you are in Hong Kong, after all).

Rituals in the Wong Tai Sin Temple

If you want to get an insight into the religious rituals of the Chinese, you should definitely visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple. Here tourists get an unadulterated insight into their religious ceremonies and can watch hundreds of devout Chinese praying with incense sticks for a healthy and happy future. Especially on the day of the Chinese New Year, masses of believers make a pilgrimage to Wong Tai Sin Temple to pray for the fulfillment of their wishes and to have their fortunes told.