Lei Yue Mun – Tin Hau Temple
Who is Tin Hau?
Tin Hau, also known as Mazu or A-Ma, is believed to be originally named Li Mo-niang. She was born in Meizhou of Fujian Province, in the first year of the Jianlong Reign of the Northern Song Dynasty (960). She became goddess of the sea along the southeast coast of China because she rescued people from shipwrecks on several occasions. This led to the establishment of numerous temples worshipping her, forming Mazu belief and customs which were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Tin Hau Temple in Lei Yue Mun
The full name of Tin Hau Temple in Lei Yue Mun is "Tin Hau Holy Temple," which consists of Tin Hau Temple and Hip Tin Temple. Located at north of Lyemun Pass and nestled against the hills and facing the sea, Tin Hau Temple symbolises its role in guarding the Pass. The temple has a layout of two-hall-one-courtyard. It is constructed of concrete with walls to support pitched roofs covered with green glazed tiles. The main ridges are decorated with ceramic dragon fish and pearl.
Exterior of the Tin Hau Temple(Photo source: Dr. Poon Sun Wah)
(Photo source: Dr. Poon Sun Wah)
Tin Hau Holy Temple consists of the Tin Hau Temple and the Hoi Tin Temple (Photo source: Dr. Poon Sun Wah)
Tin Hau Temple is connected to a large rocky outcrop with a small grotto. Although the grotto is now blocked by a large shrine, the original statue of Tin Hau is still enshrined inside, indicating that the temple was developed from it. Hip Tin Temple was added next to Tin Hau Temple when it was rebuilt in 1953. During the works, workers discovered a granite stele inside the aforementioned grotto, inscribed with the words "Tin Hau Temple, Cheng Lin-cheung established the Temple for future generations to operate in the spring of the 18th year of the Qianlong reign." Cheng Lin-cheung was the grandson of Cheng Kin, the general of Cheng Shing-kung in the Ming Dynasty. Cheng Lin-cheung was a pirate controlling the Lei Yue Mun area and Devil's Peak. If the inscription on the granite stele is true, the temple was built around 1753 and has a history of more than 200 years. Tin Hau Temple was accorded as a Grade 3 historic building by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 2010.
Main ridges of Tin Hau Temple are decorated with ceramic dragon fish and pearl.(Photo source: Dr. Poon Sun Wah)
(Photo source: Dr. Poon Sun Wah)
Tin Hau's Birthday
Tin Hau's birthday, which falls on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, is an important festival in Lei Yue Mun, attracting many devotees come to pay homage to the deities of the Temple. Deities at Tin Hau Temple in Cha Kwo Ling and Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan are also invited to celebrate together. In addition, in mid-April of lunar calendar every year, villagers erect scaffolding theatre in the village’s open space and stage Cantonese opera performance lasting for four days and five nights to celebrate Tin Hau's birthday. During this period, the villagers also choose one day to pay homage together with firecrackers and the Hakka Unicorn Dance. Instead of kowtowing, they push a trolley full of offerings in a circular motion on the temple's front square, symbolising the ritual of “wishing you good luck” making a ritual unique.