Birthday of Kwan Tai 關帝誕

Birthday of Kwan Tai| Areas
Birthday of Kwan Tai| Era
Birthday of Kwan Tai| Date
Birthday of Kwan Tai| Historical evolution
Birthday of Kwan Tai| Events

Birthday of Kwan Tai| Areas

Hong Kong / No Specific Region

Birthday of Kwan Tai| Era

Ming Dynasty

Birthday of Kwan Tai| Date

Lunar calendar June 24th

Birthday of Kwan Tai| Historical evolution

Kwan Tai, also known as Guan Yu, styled Yun Chang, was a famous military general of the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. Due to his loyal and righteous character, he has been worshipped in temples by later generations. It is believed that Kwan Tai was skilled in both martial arts and literature, as well as being adept at financial management. As a result, he received worship from various groups such as common people, soldiers, scholars, and merchants. He is considered one of the few “all-powerful” deities in folk religion.

Although it is unclear when exactly the belief in Kwan Tai spread to Hong Kong, there were already temples dedicated to him on Lantau Island by at least the end of Ming Dynasty. After Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty during Qing Dynasty rule (1841-1997), temples dedicated to Kwan Tai could be found throughout areas such as Sha Tau Kok , Kam Tin , Yuen Long , Tai Po , Sham Shui Po ,and Shau Kei Wan . Various community organizations also held celebration activities for Kwan Tai’s birthday. In addition to temples, police stations，shops，community organizations，and even devotees’ homes would set up altars for worshipping Kwan Tai; thus making belief in him very popular in Hong Kong.

Kwan Tai’s birthday is generally recognized as the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, but some groups also hold celebration activities on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month, which is the birthday of Kwan Tai’s son, Guan Ping. In addition, Tung Kwoh Village Public Office in Tai Po holds a celebration for Kwan Tai’s birthday (also known as Tung Kwoh Hap Tin Gong Boon Darn) every year on the 13th day of the first lunar month.

Birthday of Kwan Tai| Events

The celebration activities of Kwan Tai’s birthday are organized by temple groups, local members, neighbors, or village committees. The organizers prepare incense, candles, paper clothes, roasted pig, fruits and other offerings for the ceremony to worship Kwan Tai. In addition to the ritual of worshipping Kwan Tai with incense, there are usually other activities such as inviting gods, Cantonese opera performances, lion dances, fireworks displays and singing performances.