Friday, July 27, 2007

Xuan Tian Shang Di Blogsite

Xuan Tian Shang Di

http://xuantianshangdi.blogspot.com/

"This blog is dedicated to Xuan Tian Shang Di (Siong Te Kong in Hokkien). We hope to share information - stories, documents and pictures - about Xuan Tian Shang Di around the world. We invite you to join us in sharing what you know about Xuan Tian Shang Di, in any country or any language."

Cool Blog!!

Tran Vu aka Zhenwu

Yao Taoist Painting of Tran Vu (Zhenwu)
Yao people - Vietnam
Mid 20th cent.
water-based paint on paper
http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_yao3.html
All photographs and text Copyright Indigo Arts Gallery Inc., 1998-2006.

The Dark Lord of the North

Xuan Wu Stepping on Snake and Tortoise

"Lord Xuan Wu (also called The Dark Lord of the North or The Lord of True Martiality) is one of the most widely revered Chinese deities, ranking in popularity behind only Guan Yin and Kwan Kung.
The God is always depicted holding a magical sword, which he borrowed from one of the 8-Immortals named Lu Dong-Pin. Legend says that He borrowed the magical sword to beat off a powerful devil, and after he was successful, he refused to return the sword back to Lu Dong-Pin. If his palm opens, then his sword will automatically fly back to Lu Dong-Pin. Therefore he always hold this sword tightly.
Lord Xuan Wu is also always depicted with a tortoise and a snake, beneath his feet. He is revered as a powerful God, able to control the elements (worshipped by those wishing to avoid fires), and capable of great magic. He is particularly revered by martial artists, and is the 'patron saint' of Wudang Mountain in China's Hubei Province, where he allegedly attained immortality."


image: http://www.fengshuibestbuy.com/buddhism.html
Copyright © 2003-2007. All rights reserved.

Inside the historic Bok Kai Temple in Marysville

Candles burn inside the historic Bok Kai Temple in Marysville

Return of the Bok Kai

by Katie Lawrence

Issue date:Section: News 2/16/05

"Bok Kai is the main deity, who controls the flooding and can banish evil." explained Keith Bogt, one of the temple's volunteer caretakers.

During 1850 and 1900 the Marysville Chinese population in the northern Sacramento valley was so large that at times it ranked second only to San Francisco. Most of Marysville's Chinese population was part of the Chinese workers from the mines and on the railroads. They brought their traditions and religion with them and erected Bok Kai Mui, which translated means, "Temple of the North side of the stream."

Bok Kai is the Chinese God of Water. It is said that some of Bok Kai's powers are to oversee irrigational waterways and rain. Bok Kai Mui is the only surviving Taoist temple in the western hemisphere with Bok Kai as its central deity."

http://theprospector.org/

Media Credit: Stephen sylvanie

Bok Kai Temple Scrolls

Bok Kai Temple Scrolls

1976

Yuba County Library

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt396nd16h/
Copyright © 2007 The Regents of The University of California.

Zhenwu, Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven

Chen Yanqing Zhenwu, Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven

Ming dynasty, dated 1439
Gilt bronze
36.4 cm

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco


http://www.saturn-soft.net/Gallery/Gallery1/China1/Html/zhenwu.htm

Kuan Kong

Kuan Kong: seated god of war

Medium: gilded and lacquered wood

Kuan Kong: Originally the Chinese god of war, he is now held in high regard by business people, police, and martial arts devotees, among others, and is often associated with wealth. He is the only god depicted with a red face, and is often depicted with his Black Dragon Sword. He is also the keeper of good people and fights those who might harm them.

http://www.art-merchant-intl.com/china.htm

Art Merchant International • 17161 Beaton Road SE • Monroe, Washington 98272


Chung-li Ch’uan

Eighth Immortal Astride Kirin

Medium: 19th century Chinese bronze

Chung-li Ch’uan, chief of the eight Chinese immortals astride a qilin, a mythological creature that brings serenity and prosperity. With his fan he is able to revive the souls of the dead.

This piece is believed to have been manufactured in Fukien province in the late 19th century. An inscription on one side of the qilin indicates the casting was made for Ming dynasty emperor Xuande, who reigned from 1426-1435.


http://www.art-merchant-intl.com/china.htm

Art Merchant International • 17161 Beaton Road SE • Monroe, Washington 98272

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

(likely pre-renovation)

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt3q2nc9xd/?docId=kt3q2nc9xd&layout=printable
Copyright © 2007 The Regents of The University of California.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Near the Bok Kai Temple.

Photo by David Bush.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California


Side of Bok Kai Temple. Photo by Mary Israel.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California


Back side of Bok Kai Temple. Photo by Mary Israel.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Out in front of the entrance to the Bok Kai Temple. Photo by Mary Israel.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Gate in front of the Temple. Photo by Mary Israel.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple

Dedicated March 21, 1880, this building replaced the first temple built nearby in the early 1850’s. It has been a Chinese community project since 1866, serving as a meeting hall, court, school, and place of worship.

In this “Palace of Many Saints”, Bok Eye, the Water God, is the central deity and has been celebrated in Marysville on Bomb Day since Chinese settled here.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 889.

Photo by Mary Israel