Pak Tai

Pak Tai (北帝; pinyin běidì) is a Taoist god of the North. Many Chinese celebrate his birthday on April 21.

Background

Pak Tai, also named Yuen Tin Sheung Tai (玄天上帝) (Supreme Emperor of the Northern Heaven or the Mysterious Heaven), was a prince of the Shang Dynasty. During the fall of the Shang Dynasty, the Demon King ravaged the world. The Taoist Primeval Deity (also known as Yuen Chi Tin Chuen (元始天尊)) then ordered the Jade Emperor to appoint Pak Tai as the commander of twelve heavenly legions to fight the evil. Pak Tai defeated the Demon King and was subsequently granted the title of Supreme Emperor of the Mysterious Heaven. In Pak Tai temples, the bronze tortoise and serpent under the feet of Pak Tai's image signifies that the good will always prevails over the evil.^[1]

Temples

In Hong Kong, it is worshipped among other places in:^[1]

• Yuk Hui Temple aka. Pak Tai Temple, No. 2 Lung On Street, Wan Chai (Grade I)
• Pak Tai Temple, No. 146 Ma Tau Wai Road, Hung Hom (Grade III)
• Yuk Hui Temple aka. Pak Tai Temple, Pak She Street, Cheung Chau (Grade I)
• Sam Tai Tsz Temple and Pak Tai Temple, Nos.196 and 198 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po (Grade II)
• Tam Kung and Tin Hau Temple, No. 9 Blue Pool Road, Wong Nai Chung (Happy Valley)
• Yuen Kwan Yi Tai Temple aka. Pak Tai Temple, Yuen Long Kau Hui (Grade I)
• Pak Tai Temple, Stanley Main Street, Stanley^[2]

Festivals

• A festival is held on the island of Taipa in Macau. The celebration at the Pak Tai Temple includes an opera-styled performance
• Annual Bun Festival in Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong, held in front of the Pak Tai Temple.

See also

• Xuan Wu (god)
• Chinese mythology

References

External links

• Pak Tai Temple in Macau
• Pak Tai Temples in Hong Kong