Worships - Thian Hock Keng Temple 天福宮

Worships - Thian Hock Keng Temple 天福宮 (2022 0612)

Address: 158 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 058613

GPS: 1°16'51.5"N 103°50'51.9"E 🌐 1.280978, 103.847762

Opening hours: Daily from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. 

Getting There:

MRT Telok Ayer (DT18) Exit A

 

The temple built for the worship of Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess, It is the oldest and most important temple of the Hokkien (Hoklo) people in the country first built around 1821–1822 in the traditional Hokkien architectural style, The entire structure was assembled without nails.

Dragon Pillars

The dragons entwined their torso around the stone column forming the dragons pillars

Stone Lions

Believed to ward of evil to guard the main doors.

Drum Shaped Bearing Stones

The knot in the front represents good beginnings

Stone Circular Windows with Bats

Craved on the windows are intricate designs of six beasts in the shape of incense burner represents longevity. at the four corners are carvings of four bats represents prosperity.

Dragon Wall

The top portions are carved with camellia flowers symbolizing the vitality of spring and also signifying glory and wealth.

Tiger Wall

The upper portions of the wall are carved with chrysanthemums which symbolize purity and nobility.

Plinths

Support the column and prevent ground moisture from penetrating into timber columns. Dragon Pillars are hexagon shaped with carving of magpies and plum blossoms symbolizing happiness, circular shaped plinths are craved with four hours signifying vigour.

Imperial Path Stone

Connecting the courtyard to the main hall, the stone itself consists of fiery pearl together with carving of the dragon symbolising an enchanted mountain by the sea representing longvity and happiness

Stone Step

The top step represents a stepping stone while bottom step is the stone receptacle, signifying stepping towards success.

Side Walls

Build using granite stone consist of stone lion or guardian stone lions atop of the wall believed to ward off evil. The left column is carved with plum blossom and magpies signifying arrival of happiness. The right column consists of carvings of camellia flowers and flycatcher bird representing longevity

There are low wood and stone barriers at the front entrances.

The low barriers were to make anyone who enters the temple head down, look down and bend slightly as a mark of respect.

In 1907, Qing Emperor Guangxu 光緒帝 gifted a calligraphy scroll inscribed 波靖南溟 "Waves be calm over the South Seas". The original scroll is with the National Heritage Board for safekeeping. A commemorative plaque hangs high up in the main sanctuary.

Sturdy wrought iron gates from Glasgow installed during renovations in 1906 still stand guard at the temple entrance.

Chongwen Ge Pavilion崇文阁

Singapore’s first Chinese school - Chong Hock Girls’ School (崇福女校); and Keng Teck Whay (庆德会), a private Straits Chinese self-help association.

The pavilion, built between 1849 and 1852, The pavilion's construction was spearheaded by Hokkien Peranakan merchant Tan Kim Seng. Chongwen Ge comprised the Chongwen Pagoda and Chong Boon Gate. Chong Hock Pavilion was added in 1913.