Which deity is it dedicated to?
When was it first built and what does the name mean?
Enter the temple and observe the religious elements incorporated within as well as the ornamental decorations. What interesting facts can you learn about the temple?
Thian Hock Keng Temple, which means Temple of Heavenly Happiness, is the oldest and most important temple of the Hokkien community in Singapore. The main temple is dedicated to Mazu, the Taoist goddess of the sea and protector of all seamen, while a second temple at the back is a Buddhist one dedicated to Kuan Yin, the bodhisattva of mercy. Designed and built by skilled craftsmen from China according to Chinese temple architectural traditions, it was completed in 1842.
There is a plaque inscribed with the words Bo Jing Nan Ming (Gentle Waves over the South Seas) presented by Qing Dynasty Emperor Guang Xu in 1907, evidence of the temple's stature.
Thian Hock Keng Temple in 1915
The photo is retrived from http://www.chinatownology.com/thian_hock_keng.html
Thian Hock Keng Temple in 2014
The
temple was built in traditional southern Chinese architectural style.
The entire structure was assembled without nails. It is an architectural
masterpiece of stone, tiles and wood, dragons and phoenixes, amazing
carvings, intricate sculptures and imposing columns.
Thian
Hock Keng was gazette as a national monument in July 1973. Over the
years, Thian Hock Keng has been restored several times. The most
comprehensive one commenced in 1998 and was completed in December 2000.
This restoration project won 4 architectural awards, including the most
prestigious award from UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2001 Awards for
Culture Heritage Conservation Building.
