Statue of the jade Emperor at the den Ngoc pagoda in Saigon, Vietnam
Among Ho Chi Minh City’s many tourist attractions the Emperor Jade Pagoda in Saigon is one of the most interesting ones. The Chua Ngoc Hong or the Phuoc Hai Tu was built in 1909 by the Cantonese community. The pagoda is also known as the Tortoise Pagoda. Taoist, Buddhist and other ethnic mythical stories from various cultures are carved in the walls of the pagodas. The Figure that dominates the main hall is the statue of the Jade Emperor who is believed to the "god of the heavens". It is the emperor who decides who will be allowed entry in to the heavens and who will be refused. Towards the left is an anteroom, which houses the idol of Kim Hua, a goddess of fertility. The King of Hell occupies another nook and is accompanied by his sundry minions. Many elaborate carvings depict the ten levels of hell and the Chinese’s equivalent of the apocalypse. Enormous statues made of reinforced papier mache depict various figures from ancient Taoist and Buddhist mythology.
Size: 2912px × 4368px
Photo credit: © Alexander Scheible / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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