Celebrating Kwun Yum’s Assumption as Sea Goddess
Various locations,
Why We Recommend it
On the Day of Assumption, Kwun Yum entered the sea and became an ocean deity. Traditionally, people who work at sea go to temples worshipping the deity to pray for blessings.
Description
Each Chinese Lunar Year, the deity Kwun Yum’s birthday is celebrated on four occasions. The fourth celebration takes place on the 19th day of the eleventh lunar month (7 January 2026), celebrating Kwun Yum’s assumption as a sea deity. The goddess is a key figure that transcends many religions and mythologies — including Buddhism, Taoism and folklore, holding a firm place in local spiritual tradition.
The Day of Assumption celebrates Kwun Yum entering the sea and becoming an ocean deity. Thus, on this day, some people, especially those who work at sea, go to temples worshipping Kwun Yum to present joss sticks (上香 soeng5 hoeng1) and pray for blessings (祈福 kei4 fuk1).
There are various temples primarily dedicated to Kwun Yum across Hong Kong, such as Hung Hom’s Kwun Yum Temple and the Kwun Yum Tong on Tai Ping Shan.
Details
When: 7 Jan 2026 - 7 Jan 2026 Where: Various locations
