A Place where Wishes are Fulfilled: Wong Tai Sin Temple

Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙) Temple is located in Chuk Un (竹園) and MTR Wong Tai Sin station. The temple was completely constructed in 1921. It is a Taoist temple and is famous for fulfilling people’s wishes, if one requests them (有求必應). The construction of this temple was from Leung Renyan (梁仁菴), who believed in Wong Tai Sin. One day, Leung received Wong Tai Sin’s message through a process of being possessed by the Deity to convey His message (a process called 扶乩) to build a temple for Him. Following Wong Tai Sin’s instructions, Leung started the construction of the temple and brought his belief of Wong Tai Sin from Mainland China to Hong Kong.

Wong Tai Sin’s story is also an interesting one. He was a poor shepherd and started practicing Taoism when he was 15 years old in the Red Pine mountain. He realized the wisdom of Taoism later on. His brother came visit him in the mountains 40 years later and noticed that Wong Tai Sin was able to transform stones into sheep. The two of them practiced Taoism together and both became Deities. Thus, Wong Tai Sin is also referred to as the “Red Pine Immortal.” Another interesting thing to know is that in the Wong Tai Sin Temple, there are other deities as well, aside from Wong Tai Sin, such as the 12 animals from the lunar new year (Chinese Zodiac). Below is a picture of 4 animals out of 12, namely, sheep, monkey, rooster…