Tin Hau Festival (天后誕) is one of the most widely celebrated Chinese festivals in Hong Kong. It is on the 23rd day of the 3rd month in the Lunar Calendar, which is usually in April or May in the Gregorian calendar. People gather together to celebrate the Birthday of Tin Hau. This year, the festival falls on 19 April 2017.
If you have been to Hong Kong, you may have seen Chinese Temple before. But you may not know that the largest number of temples in Hong Kong is Tin Hau Temple. There are over 70 Tin Hau Temples across Hong Kong. It is not difficult to find one nearby your accommodation.
Tin Hau Goddess and Mazu belief
Tin Hau (天后), “Heaven Queen” literally, named Lin Mo(林默) was born on Meizhou Island, part of Fujian’s Putian County, in the Song Dynasty (AD960-1279). Her name, Mo, means “silent” in Chinese. It was said that she did not cry when she was born and hence the name. However, she had a special ability to predict the weather since her childhood, and she always rescued people when shipwrecks happened. She continued to save fishermen and sea merchants after her death according to legend.
Therefore, coastal villagers started to build temples to worship her so as to pray for good weather and harvest. She was deified since then and has become the patron saint of fishermen and all those who sail on the sea. Moreover, she was recognized by various imperial emperors. She was awarded the title, “Heaven Princess” in the Yuan Dynasty, and then “Heaven Queen” in the Qing Dynasty.
Tin Hau Goddess is worshipped under various names and titles, another common one is Mazu, meaning maternal ancestry or ancestor’s mother. The Mazu belief spread from its cradleland, Fujian, to Guangdong and other coastal regions, Taiwan, Ryukyu, Japan and Southeast Asia.
Tin Hau Festival Celebrations in Hong Kong
Tin Hau Temple Hong Kong can be found everywhere. During the festival, you can enjoy parades, dragon and lion dances, Chinese opera performances held on temporary bamboo stages and more. Large scale celebrations can be found in Joss House Bay in Sai Kung, Kowloon City, Yuen Long, Tai Po, Tuen Mun and outlying islands. Some villages and temples celebrate the festival on different dates. Just follow the music of lion and dragon dances to watch the processions.
How to get there: MTR Tuen Mun Station (West Rail Line)
Nearby Attraction: Hong Kong Wetland Park
Joss House Bay Tin Hau Temple Celebrations
Located in Clear Water Bay Peninsula, Sai Kung, Joss House Bay Tin Hau Temple was built in 1266 in the Song Dynasty. It is Hong Kong’s oldest temple of its kind and is a Grade 1 historical building in Hong Kong. Every year, as many as 50,000 prayers go there to pay homage to Tin Hau.
How to get there:
Take a ferry from the North Point Ferry Pier on Hong Kong Island. Check the details here.
MTR Po Lam Station, Exit A2, take minibus 16 (Po Lam to Po Toi O) to The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club. Get off, follow the signs, and then walk down the steps for about 15 minutes.
Where are you going to celebrate Tin Hau Festival2017? Please feel free to leave us comments or contact us if you have any questions.
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