Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Gourd Temple (Wu Lou)

Picture taken BEFORE the temple was demolished


Picture taken AFTER the temple was demolished

The temple above was formerly known as Lian Xian Gong at Wei Zhen Miao (Wei Teng Beo).

The only thing standing there that remind people of it's past is the GOURD shaped structure.

According to Taoist belief system, The GOURD or WU LOU (like baguas and windchimes) is one of the most significant tools to cure and enhance one's Feng Shui. It is the powerful symbol of health, longevity and prosperity. Many deities like Sau Sing Kung (in 3 Lucky Stars Fuk Luk Sau), Mad Monk God (Chai Kung) and Li Tieh Kuai (in 8 Immortals) carry this excellent item with them.

In ancient times, Chinese use gourds as water or Chinese wine containers to fulfill their journeys and keep them alive. It is also used to contain medicine and therefore has become a powerful symbol of health.

The shape of the Wu Lou is also a representation of heaven and earth united together: the top half is heaven and the bottom, earth and when used by human, is the wonderful integration of heaven, earth and mankind.

The deities and Taoist monks even uses the Wu Lou to absorb bad evil spirits into it for imprisonment. Therefore Wu Lou has the potency to absorb bad chi.

More stories from the experts could be found here : Save Our Chinese Heritage

If you are more of a visual person, you can click on the following : Singapore Sights

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