Hung Shing Temple, No. 31 Shui Tau Tsuen
Dublin Core
Subject
Temple
Description
Historical Interest:
Hung Shing Temple (洪聖宮) in Shui Tau Tsuen (水頭村) of Kam Tin (錦田), Yuen Long, was built by the Tang (鄧) clan who settled in Kam Tin as far back as in the Song (宋, 960-1279) dynasty. It is not known when the temple was first built. It was probably built to the present size in the early Qing (清) dynasty. A plaque in the temple indicates the temple already existed in the 5th year of the Yongzheng (雍正, 1727) reign of the Qing dynasty. It is also called the Big Temple (大廟) by the Tang clan as it is their oldest one in Kam Tin. It is for the worship of Hung Shing, a deity reputed for his protection of sea farers. Hung Shing Temple is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the temple instead of the normal 13th day of the second lunar month in other temples. Fa Pow (花炮) activities including lion dances would be held in front of the temple.
Architectural Merit:
The temple is a Qing vernacular building having a two-hall-one-courtyard plan of three bays. It is in symmetrical design with the altar in the middle of the main hall facing the entrance at the opposite end of the building. The courtyard is between the entrance and main halls. The main hall is with two side rooms and so is entrance hall. The temple was re-constructed in 1986 making use of reinforced concrete instead of green bricks. New materials were used for its construction. The walls are with false brick lines and its roofs are with green ceramic tiles and a pair of ceramic aoyus (鰲魚) on its main ridge. Its gables are with black-and white friezes of curling plants.
Rarity:
It is a Hung Shing temple to witness the settlement of the Tangs in Kam Tin.
Built Heritage Value:
It has little built heritage value as it has been reconstructed in 1986.
Authenticity:
Its authenticity is not kept.
Group Value:
It has group value with other historic building including the Yi Tai Study Hall (二帝書院), Cheung Chun Yuen (長春園) and others nearby.
Social Value, & Local Interest:
Tai Ping Ching Chiu (太平清醮) would be held once every ten years in Kam Tin. A soul tablet of Hung Shing will be placed on a sedan chair and carried it to an outdoor altar in front of the Chou Wong Yi Kung Study Hall (周王二公書院) of the village to attend all the activities. The temple is also a venue for the clan elders to discuss matters concerning the village.
Hung Shing Temple (洪聖宮) in Shui Tau Tsuen (水頭村) of Kam Tin (錦田), Yuen Long, was built by the Tang (鄧) clan who settled in Kam Tin as far back as in the Song (宋, 960-1279) dynasty. It is not known when the temple was first built. It was probably built to the present size in the early Qing (清) dynasty. A plaque in the temple indicates the temple already existed in the 5th year of the Yongzheng (雍正, 1727) reign of the Qing dynasty. It is also called the Big Temple (大廟) by the Tang clan as it is their oldest one in Kam Tin. It is for the worship of Hung Shing, a deity reputed for his protection of sea farers. Hung Shing Temple is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the temple instead of the normal 13th day of the second lunar month in other temples. Fa Pow (花炮) activities including lion dances would be held in front of the temple.
Architectural Merit:
The temple is a Qing vernacular building having a two-hall-one-courtyard plan of three bays. It is in symmetrical design with the altar in the middle of the main hall facing the entrance at the opposite end of the building. The courtyard is between the entrance and main halls. The main hall is with two side rooms and so is entrance hall. The temple was re-constructed in 1986 making use of reinforced concrete instead of green bricks. New materials were used for its construction. The walls are with false brick lines and its roofs are with green ceramic tiles and a pair of ceramic aoyus (鰲魚) on its main ridge. Its gables are with black-and white friezes of curling plants.
Rarity:
It is a Hung Shing temple to witness the settlement of the Tangs in Kam Tin.
Built Heritage Value:
It has little built heritage value as it has been reconstructed in 1986.
Authenticity:
Its authenticity is not kept.
Group Value:
It has group value with other historic building including the Yi Tai Study Hall (二帝書院), Cheung Chun Yuen (長春園) and others nearby.
Social Value, & Local Interest:
Tai Ping Ching Chiu (太平清醮) would be held once every ten years in Kam Tin. A soul tablet of Hung Shing will be placed on a sedan chair and carried it to an outdoor altar in front of the Chou Wong Yi Kung Study Hall (周王二公書院) of the village to attend all the activities. The temple is also a venue for the clan elders to discuss matters concerning the village.
Creator
Rights
Unknown
Type
Physical Object Item Type Metadata
Transportation
About 22 min walk from the Kam Sheung Road MTR station
https://goo.gl/maps/8fZhgSqVG9C2
https://goo.gl/maps/8fZhgSqVG9C2
Grading status
3
Citation
Tang (鄧) clan, “Hung Shing Temple, No. 31 Shui Tau Tsuen,” CCCH9051 Group 5, accessed January 10, 2025, https://learning.hku.hk/ccch9051/group-5/items/show/4.