Kwan Tai (God of War) Festival

Kwan Tai’s birthday is traditionally celebrated on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month. Celebrations for Kwan Ping, the son of Kwan Tai, are observed in certain villages on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month, for instance, at the Hip Tin Temple  in Lai Chi Wo.

The worship of Kwan Tai holds the highest significance in Hakka religious culture. Despite practising a polytheistic religion, Kwan Tai receives the greatest honour in the main temple establishments. Most of the Hakka temples dedicated to Kwan Tai are named ‘Hip Tin Temple’, since the title ‘Hip Tin Emperor’ is given to Kwan Tai in recognition of his proficiency in both scholarly and martial pursuits. The presence of Kwan Tai is easily noticeable in Sha Tau Kok. A highly distinctive network of Hip Tin Temples is scattered around Sha Tau Kok including Lai Chi Wo, Kuk Po, Nam Chung, Pok Tau Ha, Wu Shek Kok and Shan Tsui.