finally
a Taoist temple
it may not be that big after all
similar to a courtyard design
double-storey
but it is really making good use of
the limited space that
hey.. how often do you
walk up to level 1 for
there are statues of deities up there
unlike the “strict” Taoist temple
where there are 3 Sages of Taoism
this is more like a folk’s temple
basically the deities who
for hundreds and thousands years
the Chinese people believe in
seated at the main hall is of course
the Emperor of Jade 玉帝
His Majesty actually rules it all
assisted by his admin deities
to take care of affairs at Heaven
as well as the Earth
seated by the two sides
are the Tai Sui 太歲 officers
60 of them who take turn
on an annual basis to be in charge of
overlooking the overall affairs of the Earth
The concept of Tai Sui has been
briefly explained here
SH! SH! 05: City God Temple 上海老城隍廟
and in the rest of the halls
including those at level 1
facing the main halls are the
other deities who have
their specific portfolio
I should probably use this hall
since its easier to illustrate
hey.. the 3 female deities in one hall
oh yeah, equal rights are being practiced in
Cabinet of Emperor Jade
(left) Mdm. Matzu 媽祖娘娘
(centre) Empress Huang Mu 王母娘娘
(right) Mdm. Guan Yin 觀音大士
I know right
the layout is simply brilliant
we entered at 4 p.m.
and the temple closes at 4:30 p.m.
I actually pretty much enjoy
visits in the evening
where there is abundance of sun
till me again
the lovely new old Shanghai
no.. I am not done about SH! SH! series
we were about to bid goodbye
in 5 hours time after leaving the temple
