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Everything tagged "tiger balm gardens"

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Haw Par Pagoda-concrete construction

Submitted by IDJ on Mon, 2021-08-16 02:10
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1940

The reporter/sub editor does not appear to be aware of the very much older Ping Shan pagoda in the New Territories

Tai Hang and Tiger Balm Garden 1980

Submitted by Klaus on Sun, 2021-01-24 04:35
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1980
Tags: 
tiger balm gardens
Tai Hang

Tiger Balm Gardens, monkeys.jpg

Submitted by Lai Wah Dewson on Wed, 2020-12-30 05:40
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1957

A tableau dedicated to monkeys reflects their importance in Chinese culture and folklore. These popular animals are still widely used in contemporary commercial marketing as symbols of wisdom, positivity and happiness.

Tiger Balm Garden, Fuk, Luk, Sau.jpg

Submitted by Lai Wah Dewson on Wed, 2020-12-30 05:24
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1957

Tableau showing the three famous deities that are commonly seen on temples, ancestral shrines, shops and takeaways, and in almost every Chinese home. Left: FUK (Fuxing) - considered the god of good fortune, he is generally depicted as a scholar, holding a scroll and often a child, or surrounded by children. Middle: Luk (Luxing) - seen as representing prosperity, rank and influence and usually depicted in the dress of a mandarin. Right: Sau (Shauxing) - recognised by his high, domed forehead and the peach which he carries as a symbol of immortality.

Tiger Balm Garden, dragon -3.jpg

Submitted by Lai Wah Dewson on Wed, 2020-12-30 03:52
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1957

Tiger Balm Garden, dragons -1.jpg

Submitted by Lai Wah Dewson on Wed, 2020-12-30 03:52
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1957

Dragons are powerful creatures in Chinese mythology. They’re associated with the ability to control the seasons, weather, harvests and good fortune. They also represent power and authority, and in ancient times Emperors were assumed to have descended from dragons.  

In Chinese culture the colour of the dragon holds unique symbolism. Blue and green dragons are associated with nature, health, and tranquility. 

 

Tiger Balm Garden, dragon - 2.jpg

Submitted by Lai Wah Dewson on Wed, 2020-12-30 03:52
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1957

My dad told me that visiting the Tiger Balm Garden was a surreal experience. He said some of the sculptures were fun and colourful while some dioramas depicting myths and legends were bizarre and disturbing. Either way, dad said that once you had visited it was a place you remembered forever.

Tiger Balm Garden, Haw Par Mansion -2.jpg

Submitted by Lai Wah Dewson on Wed, 2020-12-30 03:22
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1957

Although Haw Par Mansion was built for the family of Aw Boon Haw, its name includes that of his brother, Aw Boon Par - co-founder of the Tiger Balm empire. The house is one of the few surviving remnants of the architectural style known as Chinese Eclectic, and was designated a World Heritage site in 2009.

 

Tiger Balm Garden, pagoda tableau.jpg

Submitted by Lai Wah Dewson on Wed, 2020-12-30 03:22
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1957

Tiger Balm Garden, deities.jpg

Submitted by Lai Wah Dewson on Wed, 2020-12-30 03:22
Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1957

In his book Landscapes Lost: Appreciating Hong Kong’s Heritage Cultural Landscapes, conservationist Ken Nicolson writes that Aw Boon Haw was concerned that ethnic Chinese residents of Singapore and Hong Kong — both British colonies — were losing touch with their cultural identity. Thus, part of his vision for Tiger Balm Garden was to promote Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian morality.

 

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