- Tam Kung
Tam Kung (譚公, literally "Lord Tam") is a
sea deity worshiped inHong Kong andMacau .A temple dedicated to this deity is located at the end of
Shau Kei Wan Man Street East ,Shau Kei Wan , Hong Kong, and was originally a small shrine. Local people raised money to construct it in1905 and reconstructed it many times afterwards. The statue of Tam Kung, which was first worshipped among the other gods in the temple, was formerly positioned in the Tam Kung Temple inTam Kung Road inKowloon City . There is a big rock in front of the temple and is believed to be Tam Kung's magic stamp. Local residents and fishermen are the sincere worshippers. On the birthday of Tam Kung (8th of April in Lunar calendar), they will have a celebration and play a so called "kung fu" show which is a major part of the celebration. There is also a Tam Kung Temple atRua de Cinco de Outubro inColoane ,Macau .In Victoria, BC, there is also a temple to the god Tam Kung. At 1713 Government Street is a tall, slim building established by the Yen Wo Society. Fifty-two steps up to the top floor is the oldest Chinese Temple in Canada. The statue you will find there was originally kept in a wooden box at Market Square, and it was moved to the temple by its keeper after Tam Kung appeared to him in a dream. Visitors are welcome most days, and you can make a donation to ensure your good health and the upkeep of the shrine!
Tam Kung Procession
In Chinese folk legends, Tam Kung was one of gods who could forecast the weather. He was born in
Huizhou Prefecture. It was said that he could cure patients in his childhood. Tam Kung became an immortal in heaven at the age of twenty in the Nine-dragon Mountain in Huizhou.He was granted an honor in the Ching Dynasty. People whose ancestral home are in Huizhou or
Chaoshan ofGuangdong province worship Tam Kung most sincerely. They built a temple for Tam Kung inA Kung Ngam . On Tam Kung's birthday on the 8th day of the 4th month inChinese calendar , a special ceremony including parade anddragon dance is held in honor of him.
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