In one of the Chinese streets near the centre of Singapore is the Thian Hock Keng temple.
In Chinese: 天福宮 ; pinyin : Tiānfú Gōng ; Pe̍h-ōe-jī.
Thian-hok-keng or Tianfu Temple, literally "Palace of Heavenly Happiness", is a temple built to worship Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess, in Singapore. It is the oldest and most important temple of the Hokkien (Hoklo) people in the country. (text taken from Wikipedia).
These views are from 1989. Some parts have undoubtedly been modified since then.
As I know nothing about Chinese religious mythology, I have not been able to assign any relevant legends to the different parts of this temple.
In the second part of this page, other views of the Chinese presence in Singapore.
Dragon roof at Thian Hock Keng Chinese temple
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing01v01a89
|
The dragon on the roof of the Thian Hock Keng Chinese temple
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing01v02a89
|
On the other door of the Thian Hock Keng temple,
these two monks in golden chasubles
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing17v05a89
|
On the granite door jambs, this light flying fish
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing03v11a89
The lion and its mini lion (?),
on these same temple walls
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing03v09a89
Dragon rising above a sea-touched landscape, with its bestiary.
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing03v10a89
The entrance to Thian Hock Keng temple.
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v03a89
|
Young Singaporeans praying, burning them in the temple oven.
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v01a89
|
Inside the temple, an altar to one of the gods.
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v07a89
|
Another altar, this one to one of the goddesses (?).
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v08a89
|
Detail inside the temple : a monk...
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v09a89
|
In his glass cage, a Buddha (?), with his bowl of incense sticks
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v10a89
|
In one of the display cases at the entrance to the temple, offerings to a multiform bestiary..
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v05a89
|
|
Heads of two of the animals on their altar.
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v06a89
|
And in another window, two figures with black faces.
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing02v04a89
|
Above a door in the streets of Singapore, a representation of the Island of Singapore
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing03v05a89
The same, with clipping of the island of Singapore
|
Mini-prayer altars on the pillars of an old building
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing03v03a89
|
One of the mini-altars : sentence, incense sticks...
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing03v04a89
|
Painted panel above an old door :
two figures and a bird on a branch
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing03v06a89
Detail
|
Above another porch of a house, like a theatre stage
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing07v07a89
Détail
|
In light plaster relief, this very subtle door panel decoration
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing03v01a89
Singaporean eagle, probably erected under the British protectorate
Singapore 1989 - Dia 6x6 - d120sing04v02a89
|
|
|
