First Moon, Day 2
(January/February)
Click
for western date >>
Hong Kong's gamblers have their own god to bring them good luck for the year.
Che Kung, a Sung Dynasty
general, became an immortal and was elevated to a Taoist deity after
he saved the inhabitants of Sha Tin Valley in the New Territories
from a plague. This centuries-old tradition is celebrated by thousands
of believers who flock to his temple to wish him happy birthday on
the second or the third day of Lunar New Year.
The temple, which coincidentally lies near the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Sha Tin Racecourse, has been renovated and is a popular place of worship. Many seeking Che Kung's good fortune visit the temple to consult fortune-tellers, who turn a fan-bladed wheel of fortune three times to ensure good luck in the coming year.
Updated 29 November 2006 Copyright
2001 Hong Kong Tourism Board Privacy Policy
| Terms of Use
| Contact Us
| E-zine Best viewed with IE 6 / Netscape 6 or above in 800x600 resolution