| Wak
Hai Cheng Temple (first 1826, then 1895)
other
sites in Singapore |
Singapore, Singapore |
Click on an image to enlarge
Wak Hai Cheng is a Taoist temple that was first constructed in 1826 out of wood and atap. Its name means "Temple of the Calm Sea". This small shrine was maintained by Teochew traders and sailors to thank the gods for safe journeys at sea. The present temple was rebuilt in 1895 and was given an imperial plaque presented by Emperor Guang Xu of the Qing Dynasty in 1907.
The architecture of the temple is rather unusual. There are two wings connected by a shared wall, each with its own entrance to the courtyard. One wing is dedicated to Shang Di, the Heavenly Emperor, while the other is dedicated to Tian Hou, the Mother of Heavenly Sages. Both wings are similar in scale but contain different details.
The interior decoration is unusual because there are bas-reliefs from Chinese traditional opera stories.
Bibliography:
All images copyright 2002 Tim Ciccone
Lewis, Mark. The Mini
Rough Guide to Singapore
Rough Guides Ltd. London,
2000
Rowthorn, Chris et al. Malaysia,
Singapore, and Brunei
Lonely Planet Publications.
Malaysia, 2001
http://www.heritagehub.com.sg/visit%20sites/national%20treasures/NT-YuchHaiChing/NT-YuchHaiChing-1.htm
Signposts on site