Thean Kong Thnuah Temple Explained

Thean Kong Thnuah Temple
Native Name:Malay: Kuil Thean Kong Thnuah
Chinese: 天公壇
Map Type:Malaysia Penang George Town city centre
Map Size:275px
Location:Lorong Pokok Celi, Ayer Itam
Coordinates:5.4098°N 100.2769°W
Religious Affiliation:Taoism
Municipality:George Town
State:Penang
Country:Malaysia
Functional Status:Active
Completed:1869
Architecture Type:Taoist temple
T:天公壇
S:天公坛
Tl:Thinn-kong tuânn
Poj:Thiⁿ-kong tôaⁿ

The Thean Kong Thnuah Temple, also known as Thni Kong Tnua (Chinese: t=天公壇) or the Jade Emperor's Pavilion, is a Taoist temple within George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located at Ayer Itam, the temple was completed in 1869 and is the only temple in Malaysia built specifically for the worship of the Jade Emperor (Hokkien: Thinn-kong)[1] It becomes a focal point for the annual Jade Emperor's Birthday celebrations on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year.[2] [3] [4] [5] The temple was also featured in Episode 8 of The Amazing Race 16.

History

The temple was built in the 1860s by members of the ethnic Chinese Hokkien community in Malaysia and underwent a restoration beginning in 2002.[2]

Features

The temple is located at the foot of Penang Hill and is surrounded by lush greenery. The path leading up to the temple features a flight of stairs with 110 granite steps and its archway is decorated with century-old stone carvings. The temple's architecture is a combination of both Buddhist and Taoist styles.[2] In the first shrine hall, there are three gold-plated Buddha statues while the Jade Emperor God sits in the main shrine hall.[2]

References

  1. Book: Jean Elizabeth DeBernardi. Penang: Rites of Belonging in a Malaysian Chinese Community. 2009. NUS Press. 978-9971-69-416-6. 230–.
  2. Web site: Temple of Jade Emperor God. Ong Yee Ting. The Star. 17 October 2006. 12 March 2019.
  3. Web site: Hokkiens go all out to celebrate Jade Emperor God's birthday at jetty and temple. Crystal Chiam Shiying. Chong Kah Yuan. The Star. 6 February 2017. 12 March 2019.
  4. Web site: Preparations underway for the grand celebration of the Jade Emperor's birthday. Opalyn Mok. The Malay Mail. 22 February 2018. 12 March 2019.
  5. Web site: Devotees turn eyes heavenward on 9th day of Lunar New Year. David ST Loh. The Malaysian Insight. 16 February 2019. 12 March 2019.