Grey bricks and an ornate roof. These are the hallmarks of Tam Kung Temple. This single-storey building stands apart from the modern structures around it. Are you ready to step back in time and explore a unique piece of Hong Kong’s heritage?
The Tam Kung Temple was built in 1905. Fishermen built it to honor Tam Kung. He is a sea deity. The fishermen believed Tam Kung would protect them. They sought his blessing as they sailed the oceans.
Tam Kung is a very local god. His worship is mainly in the coastal area between Hong Kong and Macau. Officially, Tam Kung was deified during the Qing Dynasty. That was between 1644 and 1912.
There are several stories about Tam Kung’s origins. According to the Chinese Temples Committee, he was from Huizhou in Guangdong. This was during the Yuan Dynasty. People worshipped him from the age of 12. He had the power to cure the sick. He also controlled the wind and rains. It was said that Tam Kung could stop storms. He did this by throwing a cup of peas into the air. He could also start rain by throwing a cup of water.
Legend says he lived to old age. Yet, he always looked like a 12-year-old boy. Stories tell of him wandering the mountains. A tiger carried his possessions. An ancestral temple to Tam Kung exists on Nine Dragon Peak in Huizhou. It has been there since at least 1824. Some say it has been there for thousands of years. People from the Huizhou region are devoted to Tam Kung. Their ancestral temple is older than any other. This includes the Macau temple built in 1862.
Another story says Tam Kung was from Wei Yang. It is a Hakka settlement in Guangdong. He became enlightened in Kowloon. He gained power from the remains of nine dragons. They form Kowloon’s northern boundary.
Jonathan Chamberlain offers a controversial story. He links Tam Kung to the last emperor of the Song Dynasty. The Mongols sacked the Song capital in 1276. They captured the young Emperor Gong of Song. The Song court fled to what is now Hong Kong. They set up in Kowloon. The area got its name because the emperor counted eight hills. He declared that there were eight dragons. An advisor noted that with the emperor, there were nine dragons. This gave the area the name “Gau Lung,” meaning “nine dragons.”
As you approach the Tam Kung Temple entrance, notice the stone behind you. It is said to be Tam Kung’s magic seal. Look up at the ornate roof and entrance. The Tam Kung Temple is more than just a building. It is a connection to the past.
Inside the Tam Kung Temple, you find a surprisingly light space. Many Hong Kong temples are dark. This one is airy, filled with natural light. It is said to have outstanding fung seoi. The Tam Kung Temple is built on a dragon. The dragon’s geomantic vitality reaches across to Kowloon.
Passing the Door Official and Earth God, you see a model dragon boat. There is also a junk in the foyer. The space seems very large. The inner part of the Tam Kung Temple looks bigger than the exterior suggests.
In the center of the hall, Tam Kung watches over his abode. Before meeting him, visit the altar to the left. It features the Eight Immortals of Taoism. Kwan Kung, the god of war, is on the left. All Saints are represented on the right. Wong Tai Sin is in the central house. He is famed as a healer and god of medicine.
The main part of the altar houses the baby-faced Tam Kung. He wears a red nine-dragon robe. In front of him are three wooden images of the god. They are older than the main image. With health as a theme, inspect the altar on the right. It holds the Gods of Five Lucks.
The Tam Kung Temple stands as a reminder. Real people can become gods. A shepherd, a country girl, and maybe even a child emperor. All can become gods in Hong Kong.