Wong Tai Sin Temple, a Taoist temple established in 1921, is one of the most famous temples in Hong Kong. It is also renowned among overseas Chinese in Southern Asia, Europe, and America.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is named after Wong Chuping. When Wong Chuping was 15, he began to follow Taoism. Forty years later, he achieved enlightenment and became immortal. People called him Wong Tai Sin from then on. It is said that he punishes evils, heals the wounded, and rescues the dying. The influence of Wong Tai Sin spread from Guangdong Province to Hong Kong in the early 20th century. With his mercy and his power, he is said to grant whatever is requested. Wong Tai Sin Temple is known for its fortune-telling. The fortune sticks (or lots) in Wong Tai Sin Temple are very accurate. Many people who visit the temple come to have their fortunes told. Generally, worshippers entreat the fate of the same year. They light worship sticks, kneel before the main altar, make a wish, and shake a bamboo cylinder containing fortune sticks until one falls out. The stick is exchanged for a piece of paper bearing the same number, and the soothsayer then interprets the fortune on the paper for the worshipper. Wong Tai Sin has many worshippers in Hong Kong, so the joss sticks and candles burn exuberantly all year round, especially during the Chinese Lunar New Year and Wong Tai Sin's birthday - the 23rd day of the eighth lunar month.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is also called Sik Sik Yuen. The architecture of Wong Tai Sin Temple is in the traditional Chinese temple style: grand red pillars, a magnificent golden roof adorned with blue friezes, yellow latticework, and resplendent multi-colored carvings. Aside from the Daxiong-baodian or Grand Hall, Sansheng Hall and the Good Wish Garden are also worth seeing. The temple grounds also feature three memorial archways. The first one stands outside the temple and is carved with the name of the temple. If you walk past the soothsayers and the fortune-telling stalls, you can see another memorial archway. And if you continue further along the third memorial archway standing before you. Memorial archways are a common feature of traditional Chinese architecture. Also at the temple are the Nine Dragon Wall--a replica of the renowned Nine Dragon Wall in Beijing, and the Good Wish Garden - a miniature copy of Beijing's Summer Palace .
Additionally, Wong Tai Sin Temple is the only temple that offers facilities for wedding ceremonies in Hong Kong.
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Travelers' Voices on Wong Tai Sin Temple
1.
Jun. 23,2009 22:05 Reply
Ms.Josephine Koh(Singapore) said:
Hi Mrs Donna,
I practised Feng Shui, I believed the fortune teller would tell you to do more karma in order to ward off what the fortune teller predict. Never believed 100% but at least must be aware of at least 20%, at the end of the day, you may see is just cautioning you to take care of your health, after the prediction, I am sure you have already eating healthy and exercising, but if you are worrying and sad, the prediction will naturally be true because you will fall into depression or some kind of sickness. What I mean do karma mean do more charity to help the poor or the sick.
2.
May. 12,2009 12:05 Reply
Mrs.Donna(Netherlands) said:
I visited the temple and saw a fortune teller. My number: 43. He told me that this was the worst of the worst and that I will not be able to recover when I get ill. He looked at my hands and on the piece of paper corresponding with nr. 43. I was shocked and went home crying. Should I believe this man?
May. 12,2009 22:40
Mr.Jerry replied:
For the fortune telling, to be lieved to be seen. I will no take it seriously, but I may be cautious, anyway. In deed, we should take care of ourselves all the time. He just reminded you. Anything have not happened yet, right? Just leave it alone.
May. 13,2009 09:53
Ms.katelyn s(ohio) replied:
no do not believe him
May. 25,2009 09:24
Ms.Cheung(HK) replied:
don't worry! just be yourself and i'm sure everything will turn out the way it should. i live in hong kong myself and i saw a fortune teller there today (perhaps not the same booth) but she told me that it was important to live our lives without being influenced by the fortune telling results.
cheer up! the results change anyway. it all comes to the life we live ourselves=]
i hope u had a nice time in HK!
Jun. 12,2009 06:50
Mr.Ricky May(USA) replied:
Mrs. Donna, I would consider that it is Daoist. There is good in the bad, and bad in the good. If the fortune told you that you would become the richest person in the world tomorrow, do you think this would be all wonderful?! Do you think you would have no problems and would never get ill and would not have to pay taxes or die?
No, even as the world's richest person, you will experience terrible and sad things. People will use you and lie to you and cheat you, etc. If you were not the richest person these people would not do that.
So the fortune teller told you that it is the worst of the worst. Is that entirely a bad thing? Is there such a thing as only bad???
No, especially according to Taoism. Perhaps you can find comfort knowing that your "illness" means something else. For example, maybe you will face some great challenge. Perhaps you are chosen for this challenge because you are the strongest one in your family and only you can shoulder this burden. Perhaps this burden you carry will save your family some troube. Should you cry about taking this burden, to save you family?
No, you shouldn't. Our families are the most important thing. It would be an honor to serve your family in this way and they would remember you forever for your sacrifice.
This is just one example of how this "bad" news can be accepted.
The darkness and light swirl together endlessly, each with a part of the other. This is the natural world we are a part of. Things will happen because it is natural. Do not fear what is natural.
:)rickymay
3.
May. 10,2009 05:04 Reply
Mr.Prema(Hong Kong) said:
Just visited Wong Tai Sin Temple today...The opening Hrs are MON-SUN 0700-1730Hrs.
4.
Apr. 22,2009 03:23 Reply
Mr.koio muchabudh(hkg) said:
what is the design AND use of the temple.
5.
Mar. 10,2009 15:31 Reply
Mrs.smith(canada) said:
what is the opening hours/ times/days of Wong Tai Sin. pls advise as i would like to visit next week. do i turn left or right out of MTR Wong Tai Sin ?
Apr. 21,2009 16:46
Ms.Silvia(USA) replied:
There're signs printed on the wall, but the best way to for you is to ask the people at INFORMATION. They're very nice to give you direction.
Apr. 22,2009 03:21
Mr.KAKA LOMES(HKG) replied:
DONT U KNOW,
U GO STRAIGHT THEN LEFT THE RIGHT THEN TAKE A TAXI AND SAY HOYAT HOYEUN AND THEN U REACH!
6.
Apr. 17,2009 09:41 Reply
Mrs.Spence(Canada) said:
Can Any one Help me and tell me why the Temple was Built?
This is 4 a school Project!!!
7.
Mar. 30,2009 23:45 Reply
Ms.Shelene(Singapore) said:
Anyone knows any website that can interpret the meanings of my fortune stick i got at Wong Tai Sin?
8.
Mar. 7,2009 05:40 Reply
Ms.mabel(Malaysia) said:
can anyone help me interpret my fortune teller with the following chinese word that i got from wong tai sin temple
倫文敘分妻婚姻豈可厭家貧文敘夫妻兩折分一旦首登龍虎榜戰妻樓墜自亡身
thank you.
9.
Feb. 20,2009 15:15 Reply
Ms.Lam(Canada) said:
Please advise the website of Wong Tai Sin Temple for paying respect online? It was on the Chinese newspaper in Toronto before Chinese New Year, but I missed it.
10.
Jan. 25,2009 22:52 Reply
Ms.Ammie Deng(USA) said:
I wonder if there are any sites that can allow me to pray bamboo sticks and then interpret them ONLINE...
Also I heard on the Hong Kong World News that you could go to this website to light virtual incense sticks online. I wonder if it's only for Hong Kong or is it Worldwide...?
Help?
Feb. 16,2009 17:33
Ms.Pang(HK) replied:
There are many sites which can achieve what you want.........but sorry......they are in Chinese.....