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5/30/2005 2:02 PM A-Ma temple on the southern tip of
the Macaunese peninsula. Here's some history on it from toptrip.cc:
The former name of A-Ma Temple (Ma Kok Miu) was Ma Tsou, the oldest temple
in Macao, which has a history of over 500 years. It is so alleged that
over 400 years ago when Portuguese reached Macao and landed on the sea
promontory opposite the A-Ma Temple, they noticed the temple of goddess
and asked the local inhabitants the name of the whole place who misunderstood
they were denoting the temple and answered "Ma Kok". In this
way, the Portuguese transliterated into "Macau" which was the
origin of the Portuguese name for Macao. The whole Temple includes the
main hall, stone hall, great mercy hall and Kun lam (Goddess of Mercy,
Avalokitesvara) hall four buildings.
At the gate, there are stone lions guarding the temple and the eaves pointing
the sky, full of Chinese folk characteristics.
The A-Ma Temple was built by the cliff. There are winding paths around
upwards the hill. Along the cliff, there are many poems and verses inscribed
on stone in all scripts, regular, cursive, seal character and official.
Inside the courtyard, there is a relief stone sculpture of Chinese junk.
Here goes the allegation that A-Ma sailed out to sea from her native land
by this junk. After coping with strong typhoon and fierce-waves, she reached
Macao safely. It is said, the Tin Hau, the Queen of Heaven and Protector
of Seafarer who was from Pu Tien, Fujian Province, is otherwise known
for Niang Ma. She could predict auspicious and inauspicious things and
after death made her presence felt on the sea, helping merchants and fishermen
to dispel calamity, overcome difficulty and turn danger into safety. Later
generations built temple here to pay homage in her memory. On 23 March
every lunar year, the birthday of A-Ma, and in the spring festival, the
Temple is crowded with worshippers. Many male and female disciples gather
here to pay homage and to pray for good fortune. Even young men and young
women in western-style clothes and in long boots and short skirts come
to burn incense to pray for good luck, a quite warm scene.
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