Thean Hou Temple

Main Entrance of Thean Hou Temple, KL

It has been a long time since I last visited Thean Hou Temple in Seputeh, KL. When Mun Li decided to ask me to be a KL guide for her German friend, I thought it was a good idea to revisit this popular Chinese temple. But honestly, I'm not a good KL guide. If you ask me anything about KL, probably I would tell you KL is the capital of Malaysia, that's all.

Pavilion
(courtesy of Mun Li and her Canon zai)

Anyway, talking about Thean Hou Temple, a quick browse on the internet reveled that the temple was built in 1987. It was actually relocated from Jalan Sultan, KL. This temple belongs to Selangor and Federal Hainan Association. I guess it functions like a clan house, just like those clan houses cum temples you can find in Penang. By looking at the temple you can tell that the architecture is of Hokkien influence, with multiple-tier roof, decorated with 2 most auspicious mythical creatures in Chinese culture, Dragon and Phoenix.

Multiple-tier roofs with ornaments
(courtesy of Mun Li and her Canon zai)

Dragon
(courtesy of Mun Li and her Canon zai)

Phoenix
(courtesy of Mun Li and her Canon zai)

Other mythical creatures
(courtesy of Mun Li and her Canon zai)

The patron deity in this temple is Thean Hou Goddess. She is well-known by another name, Mazu. She is the patron deity of the sea, overseeing the well-being of fisherman in the ocean. Before going out to fish in the ocean, fishermen would pray to her, seeking for protection and a smooth sailing fishing trip in the ocean. Mazu is believed to have lived in the early Northen Song Dynasty, in year 960. Her real name was Lin Moniang.

Thean Hou Goddess aka Mazu

In the early days, Hainan people were mostly fisherman. Thus, they brought together the practice of worshipping Mazu to Malaysia when they came to Nanyang (southern sea, referring to Malaysia and Singapore). Today,the practice of worshiping Mazu is still popular in Taiwan, Fujian China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin

Dog, my zodiac animal according to the Chinese lunar calendar

Yuet Lao, the match maker deity

Lotus candle, symbolises purity and enlightenment

Every year, Thean Hou Temple would be festooned with red lantern during the Chinese New Year. If you come by night, you can enjoy the beauty of Thean Hou Temple glittering like stars with the yellow neon bulbs lining the edge of the roofs. Coupled with the colourful bright lanterns, this temple resembles a shining diamond as night falls.