| Name: |
Tian Hou
Temple, Dapeng Fortress, Dapeng Town, Longgang, Shenzhen, Guangdong,
CHina PRC |
| Main figure/s: |
Tian
Hou (also called Matsu, Masu), Empress of Heaven and Goddess of
the Sea |
| Other figures: |
Two statues of Men
Shen, the usual two
guardians, and a host of small unidentified figures |
| "History":
|
Unknown, but Dapeng
Fortress in which it is located dates to 1394, and veneration of
Tian Hou in China started long before that. With the fortress's seaside
location, and the naval activities of some inhabitants, it is likely
that the foundation of the temple dates near the founding of the
fortress, and could even precede it. |
| Description:
|
The temple has
no exterior grounds. It is a "two
hall, one courtyard" type, though the courtyard is
covered. The central opening is rather square, creating a kind of
"smoke tower." It is situated over a large, squarish
offering table (B). As one enters the
front door, this table first catches the eye; the main figure of Tian
Hou (A) is remote and in relative
darkness. On either side of the entrance hall, small figures of
the Men
Shen(C, D) stand against the side walls,
facing the visitor; one must literally cross between their blades to
enter. On either side of the offering table are the usual figures
of Shun Feng
Er and Chien Li Yen (E, F). In
addition, there are three bays or boxes on each side of the main figure:
two against the side walls, and one against the back wall. The
ones against the back wall (I, J) contain
three figures each. Moving away from the main figure, the ones at
the rear of the side wall (H, K) contain
six figures each, and the ones nearer the front on the side wall (G,
L) contain one figure each. The identity of these figures
is unknown. The single figures (G, L)
are male, and are clearly officials; the group of three on the right (J)
are also male, and may be the "San Shen" (Three Gods) of
Taoism (the one on the left has a Tai Ji ["Yin/Yang"] symbol),
Buddhism, and Confucianism. The remainder (the left-hand group of
three (I), and both groups of six (H,
K)) are female; the group of three (I) looks
rather formal, but the other twelve (H, K)
are clearly mothers, surrounded by children, and doing various motherly
things such as suckling, dandling, bathing, etc. A drum and bell
stand next to the single figure on the right (M). |
| Festival/s:
|
Unknown, but
Tian Hou's feast day is the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month. |
| Additional features: |
The twenty
small figures are exquisite in their detail. I will spend some time
trying to discover who they are! |
| Getting there:
|
Details to be added soon! |
| Also in the area: |
As mentioned,
the Dapeng Fortress in which the temple is located is a major historical
site. |
| About
the photos: |
All photos on
this page are copyright 2004 by James
Baquet |
Gallery
click pictures
to enlarge
The Entry Area
|
|
 |
| Men
Shen (C) |
Offering
table (B) |
Men
Shen (D) |
The
Main Figures
|
|
 |
| Shun Feng
Er (E) |
Tian
Hou (A) |
Chien Li Yen
(F) |
The Smaller
Figures
|
|
 |
| Official?
(G) |
Mothers?
(H) |
Officials?
(I) |
|
|
 |
| San Shen?
(J) |
Mothers?
(K) |
Official?
(L) |
Disclaimer
|
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