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Temple to Tin Hau on Lantau Island Built in the Ming Dynasty,
rebuilt in 1798 and repaired in 1947, 1974 and 1995.

Tin Hau Goddess of the Sea and hails from the Taoist religion.
 
Legend has it that over 100 years ago Tin Hau stood on the shore guiding fishing boats home, unperturbed by typhoons and storms. Nowadays she is celebrated as the protector of fishermen and sailors.
 
All those who owe their livelihood to the sea praise Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea. 

Tin Hau's birthday is celebrated to bring safety, security, fine weather and full nets during the coming year. There are celebrations at Tin Hau temples all over Hong Kong. Seafarers adorn boats with colourful ribbons praising the goddess for past protection and praying for future luck. Boats are loaded with symbols of devotion and offerings to the goddess. 

The festival in her honour culminates in a procession and is characterised by floral paper offerings known as fa pau, brightly coloured floats, breathtaking fireworks displays, drummers, and lion or dragon dances.
 
Although there are many legends and tales regarding the origins of Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, it is generally accepted that she was born in the year 1098 AD into the Sung Dynasty.
 
 It is said that she was named Mo Niang and lived in the Pu Tien fishing village where she used her special abilities to predict weather conditions, keeping the sailors safe.
 
Some say, Mo Niang could walk across water if given a straw mat and others say that she stood on the shore, during good and bad weather, to guide the boats home. Today, it is believed that she watches   over fishermen and sailors, warding off illness and filling their nets with fish.
 
Hong Kong celebrates the Tin Hau Festival every year, and the festival takes place everywhere. In towns and small villages, it is an opportunity for fishermen to thank the goddess for their safe keeping and good weather in the past year, and to ask for successful fishing, protection and safe returns during the coming year.
The Tin Hau Festival also plays a vital role in the beliefs of seafarers in Vietnam and in Macau.