Taipa Village Temples

Taipa Village Temples: I Leng Temple

Taipa Village Temples: I Leng Temple

I Leng Temple is named after the God of Sacred Doctors and was built in 1900.

Taipa Village Temples: I Leng Temple entrance

The temple doormen here have always caught my attention.

I Leng Temple doorman

Taipa Village Temples: Kun Iam Temple

Another very small temple in Taipa Village, Kun Iam Temple was built in 1902.

Taipa Village Temples: Kun Iam Temple

The gold statue of Kun Iam behind the altar is a valuable relic, well over 100 years old.

Taipa Village Temples: Kun Iam Temple altar

Kun Iam is the Goddess of Mercy and brings deliverance to those who are in pain and suffering.  She is a sea of salvation in a cruel, wretched world.

Kun Iam Temple temple deities

Taipa Village Temples: Pak Tai Temple

The ancient God Pak Tai is a product of the glorious Shang Dynasty, rulers of the Yellow River valley from 1600 to 1046 BC.

Taipa Village Temples: Pak Tai Temple

Also known as the Supreme Emperor of Dark Heaven (how cool does that sound?), Pak Tai protects against natural disasters.

Pak Tai Temple altar

Constructed in 1844, this temple’s main hall is dedicated to Pak Tai while the side chambers pay tribute to Hua Guang and Kwan Tin.

Taipa Village Temples: Pak Tai Temple idol

Every year on March 8th (lunar calendar) the temple plays host to a performance commemorating a sacred battle.

Pak Tai Temple door idol

Taipa Village Temples: Sam Po Temple

A Ma’s third eldest sister was a water goddess as well, named Sam Po.

Taipa Village Temples: Sam Po TempleTaipa Village Temples: Sam Po Temple altar

Idealized by the locals ever since they vanquished marauding pirates in 1833, this temple was built in her honour in 1845.

Sam Po Temple bearded deitiesSam Po Temple wooden table

Just one man’s opinion, but I personally think it’s one of Macau’s most underrated and beautiful temples.

Taipa Village Temples: Sam Po Temple dragonsTaipa Village Temples: Sam Po temple deity

Taipa Village Temples: Tin Hau Temple

Built in 1785, Tin Hau Temple is the oldest temple in Taipa.

Taipa Village Temples: Tin Hau Temple

It’s now a memorial of sorts to a battle that happened on the island between local residents and pirates in 1833.

Taipa Village Temples: Tin Hau Temple interior

The locals emerged victorious but suffered heavy losses and received compensation from the Qing government, some of which was used to renovate the temple in 1848.

Tin Hau Temple dragon chair

Tin Hau is of course A Ma, the goddess of seafarers and Macau’s most beloved deity.  She was born in Fujian during the Song Dynasty in the 10th Century.

Tin Hau Temple dragon

Legend has it that she would help fishermen find the shore by wearing her red dress on the beach.  Once in a dream she saved her brother and father from a typhoon.

Taipa Village Temples: Tin Hau Temple dragon with fruit

At the age of 28 she became immortal and flew off to Heaven.

Tin Hau Temple signs

Taipa Village Temple Locations

Follow the link for more temples in Taipa!

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