Can I Get An Amen?
Ophelia Lui and Karen Ko say a little prayer... Photographs by Ophelia Lui
Fruit plates, paper offerings, three sticks of incenses and bowing? We don’t just worship because we want to: there’s always something we want from our gods. But with so many different deities in town, who do we ask for what, and where?
All you need is love
Sin Ji Temple, North Bay, Peng Chau
This 50-year-old temple celebrates the life of Sin Ji, the Seventh Sister (Tsat Je). According to legend, Sin Ji was the seventh daughter of the Heavenly Emperor. She led a lonely existence working at her loom, until her father, who felt sorry for her, allowed her to marry a strapping young cowherd from across the Milky Way. But we all know how impressionable young daughters of gods are. After the wedding she neglected her weaving duties and eventually the Emperor ordered her home, only permitting her to visit her husband once a year: on the Seven Sisters’ Festival, Chinese Valentine’s day.
Go on: The seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. In 2008, that’s August 7.
Getting holy: Young women make offerings to the night sky and the two stars that represent the cowherd and the maid. They usually offer fruit and burn incense.
Getting there: Take the ferry from Central to Peng Chau. Walk along Peng Chau Waterfront Playground and turn left when you reach the match factory.
Always use protection
Tin Hau Temple, Tin Hau
Tin Hau is the goddess of the Sea, said to protect fishermen and sailors. Born in the Song dynasty, she was said to be able to forecast weather accurately (no doubt a boon for the Hong Kong Observatory) and guide fishing boats home, even in the harshest and most dangerous weather. The temple was built in early Qing Dynasty and it became one of the most important temples on Hong Kong Island. Tin Hau Temple Road, Tin Hau MTR Station and Tin Hau Road are all named after the goddess and her temple.