Few modern-day city residents take their traditional beliefs more seriously than the Hong Kong Chinese. A constant undercurrent, counterpoint to the brash, modern metropolis, these values have been formed over the centuries through an interaction of the three primary Chinese religions or philosophies Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism overlayed with elements of animism, superstition and folk tradition. Adding further to this esoteric mix is the Chinese tradition of ancestor worship. Some aspects of the core beliefs overlap with each other (for example, many temples are both Buddhist and Daoist).
These religions are complemented by the more overtly superstitious beliefs so important in Hong Kong. Feng shui (for more information, click here) is based around the central Chinese concept of qi (the energy, life force or spirit that is believed to exist in nature and all living creatures) an underlying principle in Chinese medicine (for more information, click here). Numerology (for more information, click here) is a more straightforward superstition. Throughout, two themes are universal the desire for prosperity and longevity.
Yet it is often said that Hong Kongers worship one thing and one thing only: money. And it is true that the almost evangelical pursuit of personal wealth seems to be hard-wired into much of the population. Deity worship is often used in the pursuit of worldly gains including advice on stock-market and horse-racing tips (witness the large number of offerings to the god of good fortune, Wong Tai Sin, at his temple).
Busy Wong Tai Sin Temple, dedicated to the Daoist god of healing and good fortune, is famous for its fortune-tellers.
HKTB
Most people agree that I.M. Pei’s iconic Bank of China Tower is an impressive and attractive structure, but there is one negative aspect: its strikingly sharp angles channel bad feng shui onto its neighbours. Feng shui (“wind and water”) is an ancient Chinese form of geomancy, and an important consideration when a new tower block is being planned. A feng shui master will advise on which direction it should face and where desks, beds or even a vase should be placed to attract the best luck and prevent bad fortune. A sheltered position, facing the water and away from a hillside, is considered auspicious, but although the Bank of China was built with these principles in mind, the fact that its aggressive angles arrowed hostile energy towards, amongst others, Government House and the HSBC Building, was not considered. The construction of the Cheung Kong Centre, at an angle askew to the Bank and between it and the HSBC, and a strategically placed willow tree at Government House, have improved neighbourly relations.