God of Land Temple

Ribeira do Patane Temple

The oldest temple God of the land in Macau named “Wing Fook Ancient Society” in Patane Temple. Historical record shown built in Song Dynasty, almost 700 years of age. It is the largest temple in Macau with the longest history; one of the five local temples constructed in the Ming Dynasty.

The Patane God of land Temple composed of Wing Fook Ancient Society, Water Moon Palace, Hall of Medicine Temple, and Lady of Lai San Temple combinations. Enshrine God of Land, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Holy Buddha, Spiritual Medical Wei Tuo, The Pioneering God Yeung; and Our Lady of Lishan in turn. Importantly, the temple led the archway, in front of the Water Moon Palace; built and extended by late generations. Three chinese characters “Water Moon Palace” engraved on the huge stone, written by the scholar Ho Wu from the Ming Dynasty.

The formation of the earth temple

After the death of the Song Dynasty, people of descent hide themelves in Macau; settled, rooted and became the early aboriginals of Macau in those early days. They never forget their ancestors, even they escaped the catastrophes under the rule of Yuan Dynasty, not allowed to build temples to honor their ancestors. A lot of God of Land and temples in “Wing Fook Ancient Community styles” built to commemorate their ancestors. Today, the “Wing Fook Ancient Society Fellows” has become a valuable historical material for modern studies of Fuzhou residents in Macau.

Wing Fook Ancient House and Historic Site

Wing Fook Ancient House owned a historical site not known by many locals. From the stories that advises; Southern Song Dynasty Emperor, with his royal family members; continued to multiplied after, lived low profile; and the Wing Fook Ancient Society was the ancestral hall of the Zhao family. To avoid the Yuan army attacks, built in the form of a “Land of God” temple way. Checking on huge stone plaques carefully; majority engraved on the temple side, can able to find out some clues.

The location of Wing Fook Ancient House setup in a relatively hidden place; directo to the downtown area of Ribeira Macau. Not too many tourists found over weekdays. The other passage lead from behind the big rocks of the “Land Ancient Temple” all the way back to the hill of Camoes Park closed to the museum.

In recent years, the park has renovated this “secret passage” on that day’s visit; I passed through behind the Saint Andrew Kim Monument and walked down the stairs all the way; and found this ancient shrine.

Water Moon Ancient Archway

In the past, Guanyinyan not plaed in an opened in public area; a hall with a covered roof. A concrete archway named “Water Moon Palace”; built along the archway having the upper cover removed after. The inscription “Water Moon Palace” re-engraved on the lintel of the shrine to form its current appearance.

“Temple” on both sides

On the left and right sides of Guanyinyan are the God of Land Hall and the Medicine Hall. The Temple of the Land; known the Wing Fook Ancient Society; has the longest history in Macau’s temple communities. It is a special rooftop-style eaves building design. Its main feature is that a Worship Place (Wing Fook Pavilion) building is close to the front of the main hall; forming the front courtyard of the main hall .

The exquisite colored glazed stones and sculptures used on the roof of Wing Fook Ancient House; all beautifully decorated. The temple dedicated to the father-in-law and mother-in-law of the earth. From the glass window directly behind, you can see the shrine hewn out of the mountain and stone; Entitled “Wing Fook Ancient Shrine”. It was the original appearance of the Land of God temple, based on the shrine where the temple combination was built.

Hall of Medicine Temple

The Hall of Medicine Temple dedicated to Medical Emperor; which the temple is relatively simple. On the right side of the Medical Spiritual Hall, a Moon gate called the “Lingering Garden”; which leads to the Camoes Garden. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pioneer dedicated to Our Lady of Lishan and The Pioneer of Righteousness; The shrine on the right side entrance is dedicated to Horse Head General.