A-Ma Temple

The front of A-Ma Temple

A-Ma Temple (Chinese: 媽閣廟; Chinese: 妈阁庙 Jyutping: Maa1 Gok3 Miu6; pinyin: Māgé Miào; Portuguese: Templo de A-Má), situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula, is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen.

The name Macau is thought to be derived from the name of the temple. It is said that when the Portuguese sailors landed at the coast just outside the temple and asked the name of the place, the natives replied "媽閣" (Jyutping: "Maa1 Gok3") or "A-Ma-Gau" (bay of goddess A-Ma). The Portuguese then named the peninsula "Macao".^[1] The temple was well described in ancient Chinese texts, as well as represented in paintings, related to Macao. It is also one of the first scenes photographed in Macao.

Temple consists of six main parts:^[2] Gate Pavilion, the Memorial Arch, the Prayer Hall, the Hall of Benevolence (the oldest part of the temple), the Hall of Guanyin, Zhengjiao Chanlin - Buddhist Pavilion.

In 2005, the temple became one of the designated sites of the Historic Centre of Macau enlisted on UNESCO World Heritage List.

• 

  The building in the temple.

• 

  Boat model inside A-ma Temple, Macao.

• 

  The main hall of A-Ma Temple.

• 

  World Heritage marker

• 

  A tree surrounded by prayer cards inside A-Ma Temple

See also

• Religion in Macau
• List of oldest buildings and structures in Macau

References

1. "Hakka and Macau" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 13 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
2. "A-Ma Temple". Wondermondo.

Coordinates: 22°11′10″N 113°31′52.10″E / 22.18611°N 113.5311389°E