There are more than 100 Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong; the oldest is more 742 years old. Visitors flock to temples to worship and get advice on their future from the god, Tin Hau. 

Lau Yu, the custodian of the Tin Hau temple in Fung Chi Village, Yuen Long, provides an insight into temple rituals.

Mystery surrounds Tin Hau. Some people believe she was born in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and could forecast weather from a young age. This gift saved the lives of numerous seafarers and she became revered as a god by fishermen. Numerous Tin Hau Temples are dotted along the coast of southern China where the inhabitants, many of them fisherfolk or descendents of fishing communities, celebrate his her birthday every spring. 

Lau Yu.

Nowadays, many Hong Kong people who worship Tin Hau seek her guidence about careers, love, travel, health, anything.

Lau has worked at the temple, built in 1622 by the Chan clan, for 14 years. Her responsibilities range from cleaning, handling temple finances to carrying out rituals and aiding worshippers.

Her workday starts at 4 am when she serves tea to Tin Hau. She then reads Buddhist scriptures until 6 am.

Large toss sticks

In addition to cleaning, she keeps joss sticks burning and arranges flowers.  Joss sticks come in different sizes. Some need replacing daily others will last 13 or 20 days or longer. 

Worshipping Tin Hau: