Behold the only temple dedicated to Lo Pan in Hong Kong. More significantly it is one of only two temples solely dedicated to Lo Pan in the whole world. This is the Lo Pan Temple.
Lo Pan, or Lǔ Bān in Mandarin, was a legendary carpenter. He was an engineer and inventor who lived between 507 and 440 BC. Born into wealth, his given name was Gōngshū Yìzhì.
What we know of Lo Pan comes from texts. Specifically, the writings of his contemporary, the philosopher Mòzǐ. Mòzǐ wrote that Lo Pan invented three groundbreaking devices. One was a siege device for scaling walls called the cloud ladder. He also created grappling hooks with a ram for naval warfare. Another invention was a flying wooden bird that could stay in the air for three days.
Later texts mention more inventions by Lo Pan. These include the wooden horse carriage and an automated vehicle with a mechanical horse. There is even a book attributed to Lo Pan called the Lǔ Bān Jīng. It was actually written sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries. The illustrated guide to carpentry techniques is authoritative. It covers traditional building methods, including spiritual knowledge regarding temples.
Lo Pan was deified soon after his death. This was in honor of his achievements. Myths and legends soon began. He is credited with pioneering temple design. He is also credited with the use of dragons as decorative carvings.
One story states that Lo Pan was commissioned to build a fabulous palace. He visited the Dragon King of the Eastern Ocean’s palace. He asked to borrow it as a template. The Dragon King agreed. He had his dragon soldiers fly the palace to Lo Pan’s construction site.
Three days later, the dragons returned to return the palace. Lo Pan had not yet finished his own building. He resented giving it back. He nailed the palace down. The dragons could not move it. They collapsed from exhaustion and died. Their bodies dried up and curled around the building. Lo Pan saw this. He redesigned his blueprints. He incorporated decorative dragon carvings curled around the columns and roofs. Thus, he invented a new style of building. Whether the Dragon King roared in furore, nobody knows.
His temple, Lou5 Baan1 Sin1 Si1 Miu6, is in Kennedy Town. It is special because it is the only one in Hong Kong. On the mainland, Lo Pan appears in a few temples. But the great engineer is rarely given his own exclusive space.
The other temple to Lo Pan is in George Town, Malaysia. It was built by the local Chinese carpenter’s guild in 1886. This was just two years after the one in Hong Kong. Its story echoes that of Hong Kong’s older temple.
During the 19th century, many Chinese craftsmen left the mainland. They worked in overseas territories like Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. They competed with foreign workers. So, they formed craft guilds to protect their business interests. Tailors, blacksmiths, potters, and other skilled workers banded together.
Carpenter and construction guilds were most active. They came from different parts of China. They spoke different languages. The element that bound them was the worship of Lo Pan. Temples acted as meeting halls all over the Chinese diaspora. The Hong Kong Contractor’s Guild built the Lo Pan Temple. It was a place to worship their patron. It was also a place to meet, settle disputes, and make plans.
The building’s showmanship can be seen on its facade and roof. The gables point upward like daggers. This style is called “Five Famous Mountains Paying Tribute to Heaven”. This is the only temple in Hong Kong with this style. It comes from Hunan province. Between the mountains are ceramic figures from Chinese history and mythology. These are Shíwān porcelain. This style is made by artisans from near Foshan in Guangdong.
Above the door lintel is a set of eleven murals. They make one tableau featuring immortals and figures from history. The temple has 26 murals. They are all painted to the highest standard. On either side of the door are plaster scenes depicting more scenes from history.
From its roof to its foundations, artists and craftsmen built the temple. They wanted Lo Pan’s protection and favor. Each tiny detail is styled to perfection. The Hong Kong Lo Pan Temple is an elaborate 3D storybook of Chinese mythology. It is rendered in wood, plaster, stone, paint, and ceramic. The finest craftsmen in the territory created it. It is a unique piece of Hong Kong heritage.
The Lo Pan festival brings life into the figures. The sleepy temple is animated. There is noise, smells, and activity. The modern tradesmen of Hong Kong celebrate their predecessors. They crafted the structure with finesse more than 130 years ago. They honor their god. The festival is a connection to the early days of Hong Kong. The builders and craftsmen of Hong Kong are recognized at Lo Pan’s home.