Tin How Temple
Tin How Temple | |
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天后古廟 | |
Entrance to Tin How Temple at 125 Waverly Place in San Francisco's Chinatown | |
Shown within San Francisco Tin How Temple (San Francisco Bay Area) | |
Basic information | |
Location | 125 Waverly Pl |
Geographic coordinates | Coordinates: 37°47′40″N 122°24′26″W / 37.79457°N 122.40710°W |
Affiliation | Taoism |
Municipality | San Francisco |
District | Chinatown |
State | California |
Country | USA |
The Tin How Temple (also spelled Tianhou Temple, simplified Chinese: 天后古庙; traditional Chinese: 天后古廟; pinyin: Tiānhòu gǔ miào) is the oldest extant Taoist temple in San Francisco's Chinatown, and one of the oldest still-operating Chinese temples in the United States.[1] It is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, who is known as Tin How (天后, Empress of Heavens) in Cantonese.[2]
History
The temple was founded in 1852, reportedly at its current location at 125 Waverly Place, by Day Ju, one of the first Chinese persons to arrive in San Francisco.[3] The building was later destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire, with the image of the goddess, the temple bell, and part of the altar surviving.[1] By then, ownership of the building site had transitioned to the Sue Hing Benevolent Association,[4] which reopened it in 1910 on the top floor of a four-story building it built on the site.[1] The temple closed in 1955 and reopened on May 4, 1975,[2] after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 had caused a rejuvenation of San Francisco's Chinatown.[1]
In May 2010, the one-hundredth anniversary of the temple was celebrated by a religious procession through the streets in the neighborhood, including dances and fireworks. The temple is a significant landmark in Chinatown; the Chinese name for Waverly Place is 天后庙街; 天后廟街; Tiānhòu miào jiē; "Tin How Temple Street".[2]
Visiting
The temple is open daily between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M., excepting holidays.[5] Admission is free with permission from the attendant, and donations are accepted. Photography is not allowed inside the temple.[3]
See also
Although both are dedicated to Mazu, the Tin How Temple is not to be confused with the "Ma-Tsu Temple of U.S.A." two blocks north of it, which was founded in 1986 with ties to the Chaotian Temple in Taiwan.
Gallery
- Tin How Temple (left building, top floor)
- View of Transamerica Pyramid, Embarcadero Center, and Hilton San Francisco Financial District from temple balcony
- Jingxiang temple altar
- Devotee lanterns; donor names are written on red paper and attached to the lanterns
References
- 1 2 3 4 Lorentzen, Lois Ann; Gonzalez, Joaquin Jay; Chun, Kevin M.; Do, Hien Duc (2010-07-01). Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana: Politics, Identity, and Faith in New Migrant Communities. Duke University Press. p. 169. ISBN 0822391163.
- 1 2 3 "Tin How Temple". chinatownology.com. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- 1 2 "Tin How Temple". Fodor's Travel. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ↑ Kam, Katherine (9 December 2001). "Where Chinatown Reveals Itself". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ↑ "Tin How Temple". lonely planet. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tin How Temple. |
- Tin How Temple at chinatownology.com
- Dr. Weirde. "Chinese Temples in San Francisco". FoundSF. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- Wach, Bonnie (6 February 2004). "Tour For San Francisco Virgins". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 15 March 2018.