Location: Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙), S.A.R. Hong Kong, China
Standing in the shadow of the patron deity of the temple was another equally famous and crowd-attracting deity. He was the god of marriage of love, the old man under the moon, the one known as Yue Lao (月老). In Chinese mythology, belonging neither to Buddhism nor to Taoism specifically, he was the equivalent to Cupid, tying the knots between people to form couples and marriage.
In fact, according to Red Herrings and White Elephants by Albert Jack, the term 'tying the knot' was suggested to originate from this deity. For it was his job to read from his book of marriages, in which listed the names of every couples. And he would tie a red string between the couples, signifying the union of husband and wife, thus earning the title of god of marriage.
It is usually considered a good way to look for your significant others by praying to Yue Lao. Even for couples, praying to him for a good future and a healthy family of kids is not uncommon. The deity resided at a side of the temple complex, with an area unto its own, to accommodate a throng that rivaled those praying to Wong Tai Sin. The deity did not reside solely in Wong Tai Sin temple, but in numerous shrines which were set up for believers to give their prayers to.
In Wong Tai Sin temple, the administrators set up a method for believers to follow in order to get their wishes to the deity. According to their website (this page is in Chinese), the following steps were recommended:
A prayer to Yue Lao and a red knot on the red lacy string connecting Yue Lao and his two helpers, a boy and a girl, was told to bring good future to a couple or an unmarried person. Most people just wanted to take a photo as well to remember their fateful meeting with Yue Lao, and with so many people looking forward to their turn, the crowd almost turn into a mob trying to grab the poor deity down.
To prevent such disaster from happening, the workers quickly maintained an orderly crowd by allowing only a couple to go forth and spend their time before the next was allowed. It seemed that when it comes to personal wishes, people could get selfish and put their wish before others, afraid that the deity could miss their wish when being overwhelmed by similar wishes from others. Such, I think, is the sad fact of human nature.
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| The statue of Yue Lao standing in a courtyard, waiting for the right couple to tie his red knot with. |
In fact, according to Red Herrings and White Elephants by Albert Jack, the term 'tying the knot' was suggested to originate from this deity. For it was his job to read from his book of marriages, in which listed the names of every couples. And he would tie a red string between the couples, signifying the union of husband and wife, thus earning the title of god of marriage.
It is usually considered a good way to look for your significant others by praying to Yue Lao. Even for couples, praying to him for a good future and a healthy family of kids is not uncommon. The deity resided at a side of the temple complex, with an area unto its own, to accommodate a throng that rivaled those praying to Wong Tai Sin. The deity did not reside solely in Wong Tai Sin temple, but in numerous shrines which were set up for believers to give their prayers to.
In Wong Tai Sin temple, the administrators set up a method for believers to follow in order to get their wishes to the deity. According to their website (this page is in Chinese), the following steps were recommended:
- Close your eyes and pray to the deity for your wish to come true
- Take the red string, which could be obtained from the workers for free, and walk in a straight line to the helper statue of the opposite gender with your eyes closed. In short, boy goes to girl statue and vice versa.
- Touch the red string to the helper statue's feet (you can open you eyes now...)
- Tie a knot with the red string to the long red rope connecting the helpers to Yue Lao.
- Pray for your wish for one last time.
It was customary for couples who were successful in their marriage to return with gifts and offerings.
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| A lady tying a red knot on Yue Lao's red string, hoping for a good future husband or a good marriage. |
A prayer to Yue Lao and a red knot on the red lacy string connecting Yue Lao and his two helpers, a boy and a girl, was told to bring good future to a couple or an unmarried person. Most people just wanted to take a photo as well to remember their fateful meeting with Yue Lao, and with so many people looking forward to their turn, the crowd almost turn into a mob trying to grab the poor deity down.
To prevent such disaster from happening, the workers quickly maintained an orderly crowd by allowing only a couple to go forth and spend their time before the next was allowed. It seemed that when it comes to personal wishes, people could get selfish and put their wish before others, afraid that the deity could miss their wish when being overwhelmed by similar wishes from others. Such, I think, is the sad fact of human nature.
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| The route to and from Yue Lao's statue may not be heavily decorated, but it is worthy of its own snapshots anyway. |
More reading is available here for the interested reader:
Environment: A huge temple complex in the middle of the city
Suitable for: Pray for your wish for it to be granted, since that is what it is famous for.
Opening Hours: (Temple) Daily 7.00a.m. - 5.30p.m.
(Office) Daily 8.00a.m. - 5.30p.m.
(Good Wish Garden) Daily 9.00a.m. - 4.30p.m.
(Good Wish Garden) Daily 9.00a.m. - 4.30p.m.
Address: 2, Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon
Getting there: Take the MTR to Wong Tai Sin station and exit. Follow the signs to the temple.
Additional info: Sik Sik Yuen website
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