Oblique view of the front of the Tin Hau Temple, with incense burner and stone lions, Main Street, Stanley, Hong Kong, China
A Chinese-English information sign outlines the history of the Stanley Tin Hau Temple. "Tin Hau was born in Putien, Fukien, in 960. She died at 27, after a life of holiness and miracles, and was canonised by local acclaim. Later, the Emperor recognised her worship under the title of 'Tin Hau', the 'Empress of Heaven'. The earliest of her temples outside Fukien is the Tai Miu on Joss House Bay in Hong Kong, founded in 1012. Originally a se-goddess, land people later worshipped her as well, because of her ability to rescue people in danger. Stanley Tin Hau Temple was founded by 1767. It is unusually designed, with a large number of deities arranged on a bench around the walls, with Tin Hau in the centre. A tiger-skin on the wall frightens off evil spirits: this tiger appeared in Stanley in the 1940s. Two Japanese bombs hit the temple during the Japanese attack on Stanley (1942): they did no explode, and so the crowds of people sheltering there were miraculously unharmed. The temple is especially busy on the Birthday of the Goddess, the 23rd of the 3rd Lunar Month, when the local villagers celebrate with performances of Chinese Opera." Interior photography is not allowed in this temple.
Size: 5046px × 3351px
Location: Tin Hau Temple, Stanley Main Street, Stanley (Chek Chue), Hong Kong, China
Photo credit: © robert harrison / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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