In the Southern part of Macau, hides the A-Ma Temple (Ma Kok Miu). It’s one of the most ancient and popular attractions in China which was built in honor of the Buddhist and Taoistic goddesses.
The history of founding the A-Ma Temple
According to one of the legends, more than 500 years ago, in one of the harbors of the South China Sea, one poor girl asked the fishermen to take her to from Canton to Macau. However, no one agreed to help her. Only one fisherman felt sorry for the girl and take her on his boat. At night, a huge and powerful storm destroyed all the boats except the one where the girl named A-Ma was. The rest of the fishermen died as well.
The punishment for the heartlessness reached everyone. The rumors in the town began to spread and people said that sea-goddesses protect the weird girl. A woman, illuminated with the bright rays of the sky-blue color, ascended to the summit of the Barra Hill. The sea calmed down, and all the witnesses realized who the poor girl was.
Later, on the spot where the rest of the fishermen landed, people erected a temple in honor of the goddess. It became the sanctuary to everyone who is going to leave for a voyage. They lit the candles and prayed for the calm sea and a rich catch.
The place where the temple had been constructed was called "А-Ма гао" which means “A-Ma harbor”. As time went by, the area transformed into Macau. The title was officially approved when the island was passed to the Portuguese as a sign of gratitude for the protection of the coast from the pirates. The solemn ceremony of the transfer happened in the middle of the XVI century in the building of the temple.
In harmony with nature and people
The temple was built during the epoch of the Ming Dynasty. It is a complex of outhouses, altars, and temples devoted to the goddess of Welfare, Mercy, and the Heavenly Emperor. The temple is constructed in the traditional Chinese style with beautifully upturned eaves and small tower where the monks still lead services.
All territory of the A-Ma Temple is surrounded with stone figures depicting lions as if they were protecting the sanctuary from the squabbling and fuss. The sacred place forces the visitors to dive in the atmosphere of silence and harmony with nature.
This ancient monument of the cult architecture conveys all the uniqueness and wealth of the Chinese culture. You can observe the carved inscriptions and poems of the renowned poet along the cliffs. The incredible and mysterious temple is a wonderful destination point for all the tourists and is the most sacred place for all the citizens of China.
If you want to get acquainted with the modern architecture, head to Macau Tower. This construction is 340 meters in height and offers a wide range of amusements and attractions including the mountaineering.
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