On the 23rd day of the third Lunar month (April 25, 2011) the birthday of the patron saint of fishermen is celebrated. There are more than 70 temples dedicated to this goddess, who is called Tin Hau.
Tin Hau, the goddess of the Sea, is believed to have been bale to forecast the weather and save people from shipwrecks. Fishermen visit temples making offerings and hold a variety of celebrations asking for safety, fine weather and full nets.
One of the major happenings is at Shap Pat Heung in Yuen Long (I’ve been told) where a parade with many flower wreaths, lion dances and a lucky draw (to win floral wreaths) takes place. There also seem to be festivities in Sai Kung, where a brightly decorated procession of fishing boats descends upon the temple there.
We’ve not had a chance to got there this year, but to make up for it, we visited the Tin Hau Temple in Stanley the week before.
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