香港廟宇碑刻志 : 歷史與圖錄

Abstract

A Complete Collection of Stele Inscriptions in Hong Kong Temples: Historical Records with Images, 1274–2021 comprehensively documents existing Chinese temples and their stele inscriptions across Hong Kong (including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and outlying islands), spanning from the Southern Song Dynasty (1274) to the present (2021). This work showcases the richness of Hong Kong’s temple inscriptions spanning nearly a millennium while reflecting the evolution of local deity worship and religious beliefs. Organized temple-by-temple with inscriptions grouped under each sanctuary, the volume catalogues 130 temples and 455 inscriptions, along with numerous photographs of temples, inscriptions, statues, and artifacts, highlighting the vitality of temple culture in contemporary life.

Temples stand as custodians of diverse community histories while remaining vibrantly interwoven with modern society. Through meticulous integration of inscriptions, images, and historical records, this study not only illuminates the development of Chinese temples and religious practices in Hong Kong but also serves as a profound social chronicle—revealing the dynamic interplay of geography, ethnicity, and the evolving fabric of local communities across this land.