Gazing upon this temple evokes tales of celestial maidens. The Seven Sisters Temple stands as a testament to a beautiful legend. Let’s delve into the enchanting story behind this sacred place.
This temple isn’t just any temple. It’s a tribute to the seven daughters of the Jade Emperor. The youngest daughter, Zhinu, is the heart of this tale. She is also known as the Weaver Girl.
The story speaks of Zhinu and Niulang. Niulang was a cowherd. Their love story is one of the most ancient in Chinese culture. It predates even the earliest Chinese literature.
Niulang met the seven daughters bathing in a pool. He stole Zhinu’s clothes. Zhinu asked for them back, but Niulang wanted to marry her. They fell in love and had two children.
The Jade Emperor noticed Zhinu’s absence. He brought her back to heaven. Niulang chased after her with their children. The Queen Mother created a river in the sky. This river separated the lovers.
The magpies pitied them. They formed a bridge over the river. This allowed Zhinu and Niulang to be together for one night each year. This night is the Double Seventh festival.
Vega represents Zhinu in the sky. Altair represents Niulang. The Milky Way is the Silver River. Deneb is the Magpie Bridge.
The Seven Sisters Temple is linked to this love story. There is a similar temple on Peng Chau. It is called Immortal Sisters Temple. It is dedicated to local Hakka deities. These deities are also called the Seven Sisters. They are like local versions of the Jade Emperor’s daughters.
The Seven Saints Ancient Temple is another related temple. It is in Sai Kung. Some girls visit it during the Qixi Festival. They bring toiletries in sets of seven. These include combs and mirrors.
The Peng Chau temple has its own legend. A fisherman caught a woodcarving in his net. His granddaughter played with it. Mr. Chow dreamt that the statue was one of the seven sisters. He was told to build a temple. This temple would bless the island.
Offerings and prayers are made on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The Seven Sisters Temple is a reminder of this ancient tale. It shows the enduring power of love and devotion. The tale is still told today.