Heidi (god) explained
Hēidì or Hēishén, who is the Běidì (Cantonese: Pak Tai) or Běiyuèdàdì, is a deity in Chinese religion, one of the cosmological "Five Forms of the Highest Deity" . He is also identified as Zhuānxū, today frequently worshipped as Xuánwǔ or Zhēnwǔ, and is associated with the essence of water and winter. His animal form is the Black Dragon and his stellar animal is the tortoise-snake. By virtue of his association with the north, he has been identified and revered frequently as a representation of the supreme God of Heaven.
His planet is Mercury. His animal form is the Black Dragon and his stellar animal is the tortoise-snake.
Taoist myths involving the Black Deity
A Taoist title of Heidi is the "Dark (or Mysterious) Heavenly Highest Deity" . According to a myth, during the fall of the Shang, the Demon King ravaged the world, so that Yuanshi Tianzun ordered the Jade Emperor to appoint Heidi as the commander of twelve heavenly legions to fight this evil. Heidi defeated the Demon King and was subsequently granted the title of Mysterious Heavenly Highest Deity. In temples dedicated to him, the bronze tortoise and serpent under the feet of his image signify that the good always prevails over evil.[1]
Festivals
- The day for celebration of Heidi across China is his birthday, on lunar April 21.
- 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.
Temples in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, it is worshipped among other places in:
Note : A territory-wide grade reassessment of historic buildings is ongoing. The grades listed in the table are based on these updates https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/en/content_29/AAB-SM-chi.pdf https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/en/content_29/list_new_items_assessed.pdf (8 June 2023). The temples with a "Not listed" status in the table below are not graded and do not appear in the list of historic buildings considered for grading.
| Location | Notes | Status | References | Photographs |
|---|
No. 2 Lung On Street, Wan Chai
22.2729°N 114.1738°W | Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple, also known as Yuk Hui Kung
Managed by the Chinese Temples Committee. | Declared | https://www.amo.gov.hk/en/historic-buildings/monuments/hong-kong-island/monuments_122/index.html https://www.amo.gov.hk/filemanager/amo/common/form/dminfo/DM122_Related_Information_En.pdf http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/directcontrol/temple10.asp | |
A Kung Ngam, south coast of Lei Yue Mun Channel
22.284°N 114.235°W | Pak Tai Temple
The inscription at the front reads . | Not listed | https://gwulo.com/node/18374 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3h9n-PRz6V3aBy-E9l-bMgK6fAu10vSQ7tgDvTW7yzi8w7A97cPaserKbil2wfgA0pE1Ms14KfLqejdab5rdRQucmVqqNL6-CIejXkKhmbxuu85qmqRakyI3YKQkWGEm2T-2LmLSIHesBRVAc5nQlZJWZLWgN_9acVN_sWkrSidy0Yk54l_D3zEY_WA/s1024/P9030372.jpg https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOm5tsPnnhKTIPtrzKQ2lKPtuQb8PbTedJ539EFlGhpNI4lNbz0P3PAqu5Z6Ndn7jhM0Qet6E8AjRDGIXnUQHiBp4xDScW6mHDQJUL7RpXH1l-C1MCIX7Evxsn1HPso__6wKLjcP5zk8gWiBt7EygIs6izn-XBLTjBbDWaZF0dLn3QbboZ7GvOogQDQ/s1024/P9030393.jpg https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6MYmEhdiuBMImDxUjFJ2X_kNIACs9wudMHBI2U53kQwiPs394ujpjWNlzEaFqFkM3_SnYWs05F1SnSNH4RL6JliiAER4WVanoWrA7pms-ynxzRQOA6noulmgEDp2d2Qs82t-XGeNJTVOLNj0v-r5bmdzkbMOFrRb8WMCMYz3uMxCxL2eWTmB1ITjJw/s1024/P9030394.jpg | |
Near the southern junction of Old Main Street Aberdeen and Aberdeen Main Street, Aberdeen
22.2473°N 114.1563°W | Pak Tai Temple
Part of the "Guardians of Aberdeen" group of small temples and shrines. | Not listed | http://zolimacitymag.com/neighbourhood-guide-aberdeen-the-seaside-town-that-gave-hong-kong-its-name/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160401140310/http://templemap.hk/the-guardians-of-aberdeen/ | |
Facing Stanley Bay, Stanley
22.217°N 114.2087°W | Pak Tai Temple, Stanley
Built in 1805. Managed by Stanley Kai-fong Welfare Association Ltd. by delegation from the Chinese Temples Committee. | Nil grade | https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/1377_Appraisal_En.pdf https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/1377_Photo.pdf http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/indirectcontrol/temple4.asp http://www.hk-stanley-market.com/pak-tai-temple/#.WKmJINJ9600 http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F90KqlUPEfk/VU9YpvlgOaI/AAAAAAADUKw/maYCFb0Lzhs/s1600/P1000580.JPG http://mozmolj.blogspot.com/2013/09/blog-post_6502.html https://wherevergreen.hk/locations/vwUOtSQJTaqRu3LE2WFD_w | |
Hok Tsui Village, D'Aguilar Peninsula
22.2094°N 114.2469°W | Pak Tai Temple | Not listed | https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?action=printable&tid=15393561 | |
No. 146 Ma Tau Wai Road, Hung Hom
22.3113°N 114.1873°W | Pak Tai Temple, Hok Yuen Kok (鶴園角北帝廟)
Built in 1929. It is managed by the Chinese Temples Committee. | Nil grade | http://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/1364_Appraisal_En.pdf http://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/1364_Photo.pdf http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/directcontrol/temple18.asp | |
Nos. 196 and 198 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po
22.3293°N 114.1625°W | Sam Tai Tsz Temple and Pak Tai Temple
Managed by the Chinese Temples Committee. | Grade II
(Sam Tai Tsz Temple)
Grade III
(Pak Tai Temple) | http://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/411_Appraisal_En.pdf https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/411_Photo.pdf http://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/833_Appraisal_En.pdf http://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/833_Photo.pdf http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/directcontrol/temple14.asp https://fso.createhk.gov.hk/en/location/detail.php?id=419 | |
Lomond Road Garden, Lomond Road, Ma Tau Wai
22.3262°N 114.1852°W | Sheung Tai Temple
Only the stone doorframe of the demolished temple remains.[2] | Grade III | https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/592_Appraisal_En.pdf https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/592_Photo.pdf http://nansha.schina.ust.hk/Article_DB/sites/default/files/pubs/news-083.01.pdf | |
Mong Tseng Wai, Ping Shan, Yuen Long District
22.4766°N 114.0055°W | Yuen Kwan Tai Temple, Mong Tseng Wai
Dedicated to Yuen Tai/Pak Tai and Kwan Tai. | Grade I | http://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/381_Appraisal_En.pdf http://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/381_Photo.pdf http://isletforum.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=10614 | |
Cheung Shing Street, Yuen Long Kau Hui
22.4483°N 114.0329°W | Yuen Kwan Yi Tai Temple (玄關二帝廟)
It was probably built in 1714. Commonly known as Pak Tai Temple, it is dedicated to Yuen Tai/Pak Tai and Kwan Tai (Guan Yu). The temple functions as an ancestral hall and a temple of Sai Pin Wai. Village meetings are also held there. | Grade I | https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/204_Appraisal_En.pdf https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/204_Photo.pdf | |
Yuen Kong Tsuen, Pat Heung, Yuen Long District
22.4256°N 114.0777°W | Chung Shing Temple (Temple of All Saints)
The main deity of the temple is Pak Tai with some others including Hau Wong and the Earth God.[3] | Grade III | https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/1065_Appraisal_En.pdf https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/1065_Photo.pdf http://blog.terewong.com/archives/11344 | |
Jockey Club Road, north of Fanling Wai
22.5°N 114.1354°W | Sam Shing Temple
For the worship of three deities: Pak Tai (main deity of the temple), Kwan Tai, and Man Cheong . The temple was moved to So Kwun Po in the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and moved back to the present site in 1948.[4] | Grade III | https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/1070_Appraisal_En.pdf https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/1070_Photo.pdf | |
Sheung Yeung, Clear Water Bay
22.311°N 114.2868°W | Pak Tai Temple, Clear Water Bay | Not listed | http://www.hkhikers.com/Clear%20Water%20Bay%20beaches.htm | |
Pak She Street, Tung Wan, Cheung Chau
22.2124°N 114.0279°W | Yuk Hui Temple aka. Pak Tai Temple
Managed by the Chinese Temples Committee.
The interior of the temple can be explored with Google Street View. | Grade I | https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/426_Appraisal_En.pdf https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/photo/426_Photo.pdf http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/directcontrol/temple23.asp http://www.ctc.org.hk/b5/registered_temple_result.asp?tp_ID=11245 https://www.lordwilson-heritagetrust.org.hk/filemanager/archive/project_doc/27-9-58/book.pdf https://fso.createhk.gov.hk/en/location/detail.php?id=490 | |
Tai Tei Tong, Mui Wo, Lantau Island
22.2675°N 113.9912°W | Pak Tai Temple, Tai Tei Tong | Not listed | https://isletforum.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=12632 https://web.archive.org/web/20220810200603/http://www.thaiworldview.com/hongkong/outerisland/lantau4.htm http://www.ivanhenares.com/2014_05_01_archive.html | |
|
See also
References
- Sources
Notes and References
- http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/deities.asp Chinese Temples Committee website: Brief Description of Main Deities
- The Temple of the Supreme Ruler, near Sung Wong Toi, Kowloon. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch. 19 . 202–204. 1979. 1991-7295.
- [Antiquities Advisory Board]
- [Antiquities Advisory Board]
