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23 Lunar Day at Wong Tai Si Temple

Visitors at the temple gate at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearCrowds in the temple courtyard at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearMan reading a fortune stick at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearMan shaking fortune sticks at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearPile of bright pinwheels at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearColorful lucky pinwheels at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearWorshippers with incense sticks at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearCrowd praying in incense smoke at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearWorshippers with incense and pinwheels at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearCrowd holding incense sticks at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearBronze statue wrapped in red cloth at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearBronze lion head with red ribbon at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearBronze dragon detail polished by touch at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearHand rubbing a bronze dragon scale at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New YearWorshipper touching a bronze statue for luck at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New Year
Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of the most famous temples in Hong Kong known for its fortune-tellers.Visitors flock here year round so that the soothsayers that reside in the temple can inform them as to their future. The temple is also the only one that offers facilities for Taoist wedding services.
This Taoist temple is not ancient. As a matter of fact, it was built in 1921 and named for Wong Chuping, a shepherd who began following Taoism at the age of 15. By the age of 55, it is said that he reached enlightenment and gained immortality. From that point on, he was referred to as Wong Tai Sin.
Temple gate with green and red roof at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New Year

It is believed that Wong Tai Sin rescues the dying, heals the wounded, and punishes all evil. Taoists also believe that he has the power to grant whatever is requested of him. And for this reason I chose to leave the Intercontinental comfortable living room to adventure myself, alone ( nobody wanted to face the frantic crowd with me) to visit the  particularly popular spot during the Chinese New Year and in celebration of the immortal Wong's birthday, which is on the 23rd day of the eighth lunar month.

For that reason, thousands of visitors come to Wong Tai Sin Temple each year to have their fortunes told and to make a wish at the altar. They light "worship sticks" and shake a bamboo cylinder until a fortune stick falls out.
Red lanterns under painted eaves at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New Year

The stick, which bears a number, is then exchanged for a piece of paper which bears the fortune of the worshipper. A soothsayer will interpret the writings on the paper. Those whose prayers are answered often return to give thanks to Wong Tai Sin, whose picture can be found near the main altar.

Elderly man holding incense at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New Year

The Wong Tai Sin Temple is constructed in traditional Chinese style. The temple boasts large, ornate red pillars and a magnificent gold roof. The roof is decorated with blue friezes, many carvings of various colors, and ornamental yellow latticework.Three memorial archways, which are a very common feature of classic Chinese architecture, can be found on the grounds of the temple. One is carved with the name of the temple.

At the complex, you'll also find a Nine-Dragon Wall, similar to the famous one located in Beijing. There's also a Good Wish Garden, a favorite place for visitors to gather.
Exhausted , with all requests updated It's time to take myself out of this place. I wait patiently for my turn to touch the Dragon's nose at the exit, considered to be extremely auspicious and smelling of incense from head to toes I ask the hotel driver to take me back ' home"
Red and gold temple hall with flowers at Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong, during Lunar New Year
Joelle's Tips:
https://www.siksikyuen.org.hk/public/main?
Joelle Maslaton Oster

Joelle Maslaton Oster

Founder of Joelle Magazine and Studio Joelle, an interior design practice in New York. She writes on art, design and the places in between.

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