Yuk Hui Temple
Encyclopedia
Yuk Hui Temple also known as Pak Tai
Temple , is a taoist
temple located on the island of Cheung Chau
, Hong Kong
. The temple address is Pak She Street, Tung Wan, Cheung Chau.
, which is a Taoist
ceremony held annually on Cheung Chau
island. The festival takes place on the 8th day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar
, which occurs usually in April or May. The festival lasts for seven days. It attracts many tourists and Pak Tai
worshipers.
, Guangzhou
and Chaozhou
. They worshiped the Taoist Sea God, Pak Tai, as their patron deity. In 1777, there was a severe outbreak of plague in Cheung Chau. It is said that when a Huizhounese brought a statue of Pak Tai
to the island the pestilence miraculously disappeared. In gratitude for Pak Tai's blessing, the residents, led by Mr. Lam Yuk-mo, built Yuk Hui Temple, which was completed in 1783. Another story states that the statue was discovered by a fisherman, instead of being brought to the island by the Huizhouese.
began to administer the temple. There have been several major renovations over the centuries, notably in 1822, 1838, 1858, 1903-1904, and 1989. The latest one was started in 1999 and finished in 2003, which cost (HKD
)$13 million. Since its establishment, a range of antiques from the local community have been donated to the temple. Yuk Hui Temple is administered by the Chinese Temples Committee.
, alternatively known as Yuen Tin Sheung Tai (玄天上帝), the Supreme Emperor of the Northern Heaven or the Mysterious Heaven. In Taoist mythology, he was once a prince of the Shang Dynasty
, and then appointed by Jade Emperor
to fight the Demon King during the fall of the dynasty. He triumphed in the combat even though the Demon King conjured out a grey tortoise and a gigantic serpent for help. After this victory, Pak Tai was awarded the title of Yuen Tin Sheung Tai and is worshipped for his power, courage and devotion. The portrays of the tortoise and the snake under his feet symbolize that the good always prevails against the evil
The temple also houses Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy), Tai Sui
(the Sixty Gods of Time), Tin Hau, The old man under the moon
(the God of Matchmaking) and Tu Di Gong
(a local earth god).
Local residents and the fishing folks around the waters of the island are the major worshippers of the temple. Islanders would come to the temple during various festivals to pray for blessing or to present their gratitude, especially fishermen. They would come to invoke for an auspicious date and a great catch before setting sail and to thank for Pak Tai's blessing after their return.
The two busiest times of the temple during the year are:
about 800 years ago. Allegedly, it was thrown into the sea by a general at the time of Emperor Bing of Song
to calm a great storm. Years later it was dredged up by the local fisherman and presented to the deity.
There are two legends about the iron sword's whereabouts worth mentioning: The first recounts that during the Japanese occupation
, a Japanese soldier took away the sword and accounted it as his own. He soon died mysteriously. One of the soldier's friends was afraid that taking the sword was the reason for this, so he decided to return it to the temple. The second states that the iron sword was stolen in the early 1970s. In order to find the sword, villagers used "bwabway" (筊杯), a tool for seeking divine direction in Chinese folk religion, to ask for Pai Tai's help. According to Pai Tai's direction, the iron sword was in the east and would automatically show up soon. Police later found it abandoned in East Kowloon district. A newspaper cutting covering this incident is now reserved in the temple. ).
'. The temple is considered to have good 'Feng Shui' since it is located on the pulse of the dragon, which stretch to the island from Lantau Island
nearby, with the sea in front and the mountains of Hong Kong Island
protecting from behind).. Allegedly, this is also why Yuk Hui Temple has been the most popular temple on the island for a long time. The temple is in traditional Chinese style with a roof of detailed green concave tiles, ridges and ceramic figurines. Figures of stone lions
can be found all around the architecture and this temple has the most stone lions (4) among Hong Kong temples.
An ancient drum and bell can be seen on the left of the temple's entrance to drive away evil spirits and to attract the attention of the gods. It is believed that the writings surrounding the bell area will be heard by the gods in heaven).
There are some square stone pillars which carries the message that can be translated as: 'Pi tai will look after Cheung Chau and will bring calm seas and good weather'. ).
is a traditional Taoist festival that takes place in and around the Yuk Hui Temple on Cheung Chau
It is staged every year (usually in late April or early May) to mark the eighth day of the fourth moon in the Chinese calendar
.
The event draws tens of thousands of tourists from overseas and local areas and is promoted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board
.
The name of the festival comes from its main attraction; the 'bun snatching race' where brave individuals climb up 'Bun Mountains' or 'Bun Towers' and strip them down of buns.
Pak Tai
Pak Tai is a Taoist god of the North. Many Chinese celebrate his birthday on April 21.-Background:Pak Tai, also named Yuen Tin Sheung Tai , was a prince of the Shang Dynasty. During the fall of the Shang Dynasty, the Demon King ravaged the world...
Temple , is a taoist
Taoism
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
temple located on the island of Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island, is nicknamed as the 'dumbbell island' for its shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, with a population of about 23,000 up to 2006...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The temple address is Pak She Street, Tung Wan, Cheung Chau.
Introduction
The temple is listed as a Grade I historic building. It is most famous for the Cheung Chau Bun FestivalCheung Chau Bun Festival
Cheung Chau Bun Festival or Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival is a traditional Chinese festival on the island of Cheung Chau in Hong Kong. Being held annually, and with therefore the most public exposure, it is by far the most famous of such Da Jiu festivals, with Jiu being a Taoist sacrificial...
, which is a Taoist
Taoism
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
ceremony held annually on Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island, is nicknamed as the 'dumbbell island' for its shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, with a population of about 23,000 up to 2006...
island. The festival takes place on the 8th day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar
Lunar calendar
A lunar calendar is a calendar that is based on cycles of the lunar phase. A common purely lunar calendar is the Islamic calendar or Hijri calendar. A feature of the Islamic calendar is that a year is always 12 months, so the months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by 11 to...
, which occurs usually in April or May. The festival lasts for seven days. It attracts many tourists and Pak Tai
Pak Tai
Pak Tai is a Taoist god of the North. Many Chinese celebrate his birthday on April 21.-Background:Pak Tai, also named Yuen Tin Sheung Tai , was a prince of the Shang Dynasty. During the fall of the Shang Dynasty, the Demon King ravaged the world...
worshipers.
History
The first settlers in Cheung Chau were fishermen from HuizhouHuizhou
Huizhou , historically known as Waichow, is a city located in central Guangdong province of the People's Republic of China. Part of the Pearl River Delta, Huizhou borders the provincial capital of Guangzhou to the west, Shaoguan to the north, Heyuan to the northeast, Shanwei to the east, Shenzhen...
, Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
and Chaozhou
Chaozhou
Chaozhou is a city in eastern Guangdong province of the People's Republic of China. It borders Shantou to the south, Jieyang to the southwest, Meizhou to the northwest, the province of Fujian to the east, and the South China Sea to the southeast...
. They worshiped the Taoist Sea God, Pak Tai, as their patron deity. In 1777, there was a severe outbreak of plague in Cheung Chau. It is said that when a Huizhounese brought a statue of Pak Tai
Pak Tai
Pak Tai is a Taoist god of the North. Many Chinese celebrate his birthday on April 21.-Background:Pak Tai, also named Yuen Tin Sheung Tai , was a prince of the Shang Dynasty. During the fall of the Shang Dynasty, the Demon King ravaged the world...
to the island the pestilence miraculously disappeared. In gratitude for Pak Tai's blessing, the residents, led by Mr. Lam Yuk-mo, built Yuk Hui Temple, which was completed in 1783. Another story states that the statue was discovered by a fisherman, instead of being brought to the island by the Huizhouese.
Administration
In its early days, the temple was voluntarily managed and renovated by local residents. Then in 1929, the Chinese Temples CommitteeChinese Temples Committee
The Chinese Temples Committee is a statutory body in Hong Kong established under the Chinese Temples Ordinance . It is mainly responsible for the operation and management of twenty-four temples directly under its management. It also handles temple registration...
began to administer the temple. There have been several major renovations over the centuries, notably in 1822, 1838, 1858, 1903-1904, and 1989. The latest one was started in 1999 and finished in 2003, which cost (HKD
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
)$13 million. Since its establishment, a range of antiques from the local community have been donated to the temple. Yuk Hui Temple is administered by the Chinese Temples Committee.
Deities
The main deity of Yuk Hui Temple is Pak TaiPak Tai
Pak Tai is a Taoist god of the North. Many Chinese celebrate his birthday on April 21.-Background:Pak Tai, also named Yuen Tin Sheung Tai , was a prince of the Shang Dynasty. During the fall of the Shang Dynasty, the Demon King ravaged the world...
, alternatively known as Yuen Tin Sheung Tai (玄天上帝), the Supreme Emperor of the Northern Heaven or the Mysterious Heaven. In Taoist mythology, he was once a prince of the Shang Dynasty
Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper" in the Yellow River valley...
, and then appointed by Jade Emperor
Jade Emperor
The Jade Emperor in Chinese folk culture, is the ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to a version of Taoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon...
to fight the Demon King during the fall of the dynasty. He triumphed in the combat even though the Demon King conjured out a grey tortoise and a gigantic serpent for help. After this victory, Pak Tai was awarded the title of Yuen Tin Sheung Tai and is worshipped for his power, courage and devotion. The portrays of the tortoise and the snake under his feet symbolize that the good always prevails against the evil
The temple also houses Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy), Tai Sui
Tai sui
Tai Sui refers to stars directly opposite to Jupiter. They influence the Chinese zodiac, and are also a theory in religious Taoism and Feng Shui....
(the Sixty Gods of Time), Tin Hau, The old man under the moon
The old man under the moon
The old man under the moon is an old man appearing in an old Chinese story, and is a synonym for the god of marriage and love.-Story:...
(the God of Matchmaking) and Tu Di Gong
Tu Di Gong
Tu Di Gong , also known as Tu Di , Tu Gong , and Dabo Gong , is a Chinese earth god worshipped by Chinese folk religion worshippers and Taoists. A formal name for Tu Di Gong is , meaning the earth god of wealth and merit....
(a local earth god).
Local residents and the fishing folks around the waters of the island are the major worshippers of the temple. Islanders would come to the temple during various festivals to pray for blessing or to present their gratitude, especially fishermen. They would come to invoke for an auspicious date and a great catch before setting sail and to thank for Pak Tai's blessing after their return.
The two busiest times of the temple during the year are:
- the Pak Tai Festival on the 3rd day of the 3rd Lunar MonthChinese calendarThe Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. It is not exclusive to China, but followed by many other Asian cultures as well...
; - the Bun Festival- commonly known as the Tai Ping Ching Chiu, the 8th day in the 4th Lunar Month.
Cultural and historical relics
Iron sword
The iron sword is reputed to be the most significant treasure in Yuk Hui Temple. It was made in the Song DynastySong Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
about 800 years ago. Allegedly, it was thrown into the sea by a general at the time of Emperor Bing of Song
Emperor Bing of Song
Emperor Bing of Song was the last emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty of China. He was also known as Lord Perpetual-Nation ....
to calm a great storm. Years later it was dredged up by the local fisherman and presented to the deity.
There are two legends about the iron sword's whereabouts worth mentioning: The first recounts that during the Japanese occupation
Japanese Occupation
Japanese Occupation may refer to:*Occupation of Japan, the occupation of Japan by United States forces following World War II*Japanese occupation of Burma*Japanese occupation of Cambodia*Japanese occupation of Guam*Japanese occupation of Hong Kong...
, a Japanese soldier took away the sword and accounted it as his own. He soon died mysteriously. One of the soldier's friends was afraid that taking the sword was the reason for this, so he decided to return it to the temple. The second states that the iron sword was stolen in the early 1970s. In order to find the sword, villagers used "bwabway" (筊杯), a tool for seeking divine direction in Chinese folk religion, to ask for Pai Tai's help. According to Pai Tai's direction, the iron sword was in the east and would automatically show up soon. Police later found it abandoned in East Kowloon district. A newspaper cutting covering this incident is now reserved in the temple. ).
Golden crown
The golden crown worn by the main Pak Tai statue is made of 20-ounce gold and hung with pearls. It was donated by Madam Chung, a worshipper in Cheung Chau island, to commemorate the visit of Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon to the temple in 1966.Other antiques
Other antiques include:- A wooden sedan chair made in 1894, which was used to carry the image of the Pak TaiPak TaiPak Tai is a Taoist god of the North. Many Chinese celebrate his birthday on April 21.-Background:Pak Tai, also named Yuen Tin Sheung Tai , was a prince of the Shang Dynasty. During the fall of the Shang Dynasty, the Demon King ravaged the world...
; - a pair of incense burners which was donated by the Chinese Temples Committee in 1960 in memory of the visit of Mr. BurgessClaude Bramall BurgessClaude Bramall Burgess , CMG, OBE, MA was the Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong from 1958 - 1963....
, the former government administrating officer, in 1959; - two stone pillars in a shape of two dragons from two gigantic pieces of solid granite, which were carved out in 1903;
- a stone caldron made in 1894, and
- a bronze bell made in 1784.
Architecture
The building of the grand temple takes into account the spiritual location or 'Feng ShuiFeng shui
Feng shui ' is a Chinese system of geomancy believed to use the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu ....
'. The temple is considered to have good 'Feng Shui' since it is located on the pulse of the dragon, which stretch to the island from Lantau Island
Lantau Island
Lantau Island , based on the old local name of Lantau Peak , is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong...
nearby, with the sea in front and the mountains of Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
protecting from behind).. Allegedly, this is also why Yuk Hui Temple has been the most popular temple on the island for a long time. The temple is in traditional Chinese style with a roof of detailed green concave tiles, ridges and ceramic figurines. Figures of stone lions
Chinese guardian lions
Chinese guardian lions, known as Shishi lions or Imperial guardian lion, and often incorrectly called "Foo Dogs" in the West, are a common representation of the lion in pre-modern China...
can be found all around the architecture and this temple has the most stone lions (4) among Hong Kong temples.
Structure
The primary entrance leads to the main hall, which holds the Pak Tai statue. There are two smaller halls on each side of the main hall. The images of a white tiger and a blue dragon in the left-side hall and the right-side hall respectively represent power. The two side halls help to improve the temple's 'Feng Shui'. ).An ancient drum and bell can be seen on the left of the temple's entrance to drive away evil spirits and to attract the attention of the gods. It is believed that the writings surrounding the bell area will be heard by the gods in heaven).
Stone lions
At the main entrance, there are four lively stone sculptures of lions playing a ball game. Two of the lions have balls in their mouths and it is said that unmarried girls who can remove the balls will eventually marry a prince. The two lions on the left side of the entrance are lionesses with a small cub beneath their paws, while those on the right are males with a ball beneath their feet. It is believed that milk is contained in the ball for humans to drink.The stone pillars
In the centre of the hall are two stone pillars carved from a solid piece of granite in the shape of dragons. They are imperial dragons as they have five claws on each foot while ordinary ones have only four. A ball can be seen in the dragon's mouth which is known as 'The Pearl of the Dragon').. According to Chinese culture, it is believed to be a sign of good luck if the dragon releases the ball.There are some square stone pillars which carries the message that can be translated as: 'Pi tai will look after Cheung Chau and will bring calm seas and good weather'. ).
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
Cheung Chau Bun FestivalCheung Chau Bun Festival
Cheung Chau Bun Festival or Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival is a traditional Chinese festival on the island of Cheung Chau in Hong Kong. Being held annually, and with therefore the most public exposure, it is by far the most famous of such Da Jiu festivals, with Jiu being a Taoist sacrificial...
is a traditional Taoist festival that takes place in and around the Yuk Hui Temple on Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island, is nicknamed as the 'dumbbell island' for its shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, with a population of about 23,000 up to 2006...
It is staged every year (usually in late April or early May) to mark the eighth day of the fourth moon in the Chinese calendar
Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. It is not exclusive to China, but followed by many other Asian cultures as well...
.
The event draws tens of thousands of tourists from overseas and local areas and is promoted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board
Hong Kong Tourism Board
The Hong Kong Tourism Board is a Government-subvented body founded in 2001. The Board replaced the Hong Kong Tourist Association established in 1957...
.
The name of the festival comes from its main attraction; the 'bun snatching race' where brave individuals climb up 'Bun Mountains' or 'Bun Towers' and strip them down of buns.
See also
- The Yuk Hui Temple in Wan Chai (traditional Chinese: 灣仔北帝廟), Hong Kong (Chinese Wikipedia)