Hung Shing Festival: A Tribute to a Sea Deity

Description

Every year on the 13th day of the second lunar month (31 March this year), Hong Kong’s fishing communities celebrate Hung Shing with various rituals. Festivities feature inviting deities, fa pau (paper floral tribute) raffles, thanksgiving Cantonese opera and parades — honouring the deity who protects fishermen and sea traders from marine dangers.

Hung Shing, also called God of the South Sea, traces origins to Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) official Hung Hei, whose weather observatory legendarily saved lives from typhoons. Elevated to “King of Kwan Li” (廣利王) by the Emperor, then “King of Hung Shing Kwan Li” (洪聖廣利大王) in Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), worshippers seek his protection for safe voyages and bountiful harvests.

Fishing villages across Hong Kong celebrate the Hung Shing Festival differently. For example, the Ap Lei Chau Kai Fong Tong Hing Association organises celebrations including inviting and sending off deities, parades and Cantonese opera, with worshippers bringing sacrifices to the Hung Shing Temple. Believed to be constructed in 1773, Ap Lei Chau’s Hung Shing Temple is one of Hong Kong’s few traditional temples retaining its original sea-facing feng shui setting.

In Sai Kung, the Kau Sai Hung Shing Festival Committee hosts two days of festivities. The eve, which falls on 30 March this year, features a jiao festival with rituals — altar opening, deity meals, thanksgiving Cantonese opera, Ghost Master enshrinement, feeding water ghosts, gate striding and offerings to wandering ghosts. The fa pau (paper floral tribute) associations gather to celebrate on the main festive day.

Photo credit: Intangible Cultural Heritage Office