A-Ma Temple
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The A-Ma Temple is a
temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...
to the
Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...
sea-goddess Mazu located in São Lourenço,
Macau Macau or Macao (; ; ; ), officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (MSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China in the western Pearl River Delta by the South China Sea. With a p ...
, China. Built in 1488, the temple is one of the oldest in Macau and thought to be the settlement's namesake.


History

The name ''Macau'' was 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 ''Maa-gok'' or ''A-maa-gok'' of the Mother"). The Portuguese then named the peninsula "Macau". 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. In 2005, the temple became one of the designated sites of the
Historic Centre of Macau The Historic Centre of Macao, pt, Centro Histórico de Macau, , is a collection of over twenty locations that witness the unique assimilation and co-existence of Chinese and Portuguese cultures in Macau, a former Portuguese colony. It represents ...
, a
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
.


Architecture

The temple consists of six main parts: 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.


Gallery

File:A-Ma Temple (1386860279).jpg, A-Ma Temple File:A Ma Historic Marker.JPG, World Heritage marker File:A Ma Temple 200907.jpg, File:A-Ma Temple (1387764934).jpg,


See also

*
Kun Iam Temple , native_name_lang = , image =Pochiatemple outside.JPG , image_size = , alt = , caption = , map_type = , map_size = , map_caption = , loca ...
, built in 1627 *
Tam Kung Temple (Macau) The Tam Kung Temple (; pt, Templo de Tam Kung) is a temple in Coloane, Macau, China. It is dedicated to Tam Kung. History The temple was constructed in 1862 during the Portuguese Macau. Architecture There is a long whale bone with the shape o ...
, built in 1862 *
Na Tcha Temple The Na Tcha Temple ( pt, Templo Na Tcha; ), built in 1888, is a Chinese folk religion temple in Santo António, Macau, China. It is dedicated to the worship of the popular Deity Na Tcha () or Sam Tai Tsz (). History The Na Tcha Temple was ...
, built in 1888 *
Sam Kai Vui Kun Sam Kai Vui Kun, known also as Kuan Tai Temple, () is located in front oSt. Dominic’s Market Complex near Senado Square in Sé, Macau, China. The temple was built in 1750. Kuan Tai () is the Anglicized spelling of Lord Guan, an important ge ...
*
Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong are dedicated to Tin Hau (Mazu). Over 100 temples are dedicated (at least partially) to Tin Hau in Hong Kong. A list of these temples can be found below. Famous temples Famous Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong include: ...
* Qianliyan &
Shunfeng'er Shunfeng'er is a Chinese sea and door god. He usually appears with Qianliyan as a guardian of the temples of the sea goddess Mazu. Name The name "Shunfeng'er" literally means "Wind Accompanying Ears" in reference to his ability to hear any sound ...
*
Religion in Macau Religion in Macau is represented predominantly by Buddhism and Chinese folk religions. During the period in which the city was under Portuguese rule (1557–1999) the Catholic Church became one of the dominant faiths, but nowadays it has gre ...
* List of historic buildings and structures in Macau


References

Religious buildings and structures completed in 1488 Historic Centre of Macau Macau Peninsula Buddhist temples in Macau Landmarks in Macau Temples of Mazu 1488 establishments in Asia 15th-century establishments in China 15th-century Buddhist temples {{PRChina-religious-struct-stub