According to Chinese folk legend, Tam Kong was a cowboy in Huidong district of Guangdong Province in Yuan Dynasty (1260-1368). And with his unique talent, he achieved immortal at the age of twelve; and continued to practice Taoism in his adulthood. Since he is believed to physically appear as a child to cure fishermen and forecast the weather for the fishing industry after his death, people worship him as a sea deity.
Right before the Tam Kong Temple was built, some fishermen had sent a two-meter-long whale bone to celebrate; and later the bone had been processed into a boat, with wooden dragon head, dragon tail, colorful flags, umbrella, a boatman statue and paddle. The dragon boat has been treated as a treasure of the temple. Moreover, a portrait of tiger has been hanged on the wall as it is believed that Tam Kong is always accompanied by a tiger.
