Pak Tai

This article is about the "Northern Emperor" known as Beidi (北帝). For the "Northern Barbarians" (北狄), see Beidi.

File:Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple - 27-12-2006 1-37-28.jpg

Pak Tai Temple in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

File:HK Cheung Chau Pak Tei Temple n Stairs 1.JPG

Pak Tai Temple in Cheung Chau, Hong Kong.

Construction of a pavilion for the bun festival in Cheung Chau.

Pak Tai is the Cantonese name of the Chinese god 北帝 (pinyin: Běidì, lit. The Northern Emperor). Many Chinese celebrate his birthday on April 21.

Background

Pak Tai, also known as Yuen Tin Sheung Tai (玄天上帝, lit. "Dark" or "Mysterious Supreme Emperor of Heaven"), is said to have been a prince of the Shang Dynasty. During the fall of the Shang, the Demon King ravaged the world. The Taoist god Yuen Chi Tin Chuen (元始天尊) ordered the Jade Emperor to appoint Pak Tai as the commander of twelve heavenly legions to fight this evil. Pak Tai defeated the Demon King and was subsequently granted the title of Yuen Tin Sheung Tai. In Pak Tai temples, the bronze tortoise and serpent under the feet of Pak Tai's image signifies that the good always prevails over evil.

Temples

In Hong Kong, it is worshipped among other places in:

• 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

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
• Bok Kai Temple

External links

• Pak Tai Temple in Macau
• Pak Tai Temples in Hong Kongno:Bei Di