Photo Inventory: Thien Hua Temple

By: Sara Zhobin

Martha Lopez

Astrid Mendez

The Thien Hua Temple in Chinatown L.A.

•Originally a Christian Church but was bought in 1980. It is now a Taoist Temple.

Also known as Chua Ba Thien Hua in Vietnamese and asTian Hou Gong in Chinese.

The temple is open to anyone and allows people to take pictures and have free brochures and CDs.

The temple is mostly busy in the month of the Chinese New Year.

Used during festivals ,such as the Chinese New Year, to set off fire crackers or for burning incense.

One of the two gargoyles outside of the temple.

The side doors of the temple with exquisite images.

The first decorated table that is seen as you walk in. The table is filled with cherry blossoms, incense, candles, and the large drape coming down.

People were allowed to burn incense as they came in. There were many flames and sticks around the entire temple.

A typical food offering. Most altars had fruits as their offerings, but on ceremonies other foods, such as a roasted pig, are offered.

The main prayer station. There were cushions because the prayers would typically be done on knee.

The ceilings were highly decorated with chandeliers and ornaments like the ones in the picture.

Mini Buddha statue. The temple was open to many Asian religions and had many different gods and goddesses.

A different room in the side of the temple which honored smaller deities such as bodhisattva.

A bodhisattva from the Buddhist faith which is also acknowledged and worshiped at the temple.

Deziang

Another altar with fruit, flowers, and incense. There are hundreds of little boxes on the walls with Chinese writing.

A personal shrine associated with the temple that contains their village deity.

Mazu

Mazu is the indigenous goddess of the sea who protects fishermen and sailors. She is widely worshiped in the south-eastern coastal areas of China and its neighboring countries.

There was a fish tank on the opposite side of the Mazu shrine with a portrait of lions in the wilderness on top of it.

Fu De

God of the earth, wealth, and merit. Every village in China has a shrine dedicated to him. He is worshiped for wealth and well being, but was traditionally worshipped in times of drought and famine

Guan Yu

He is called the god of brotherhood, righteousness, and war since he is one of the most well known military generals in Chinese History. His red face depicts loyalty and righteousness.

The End