YQFor singles seeking love, whether through online dating, friends’ matchmaking, or even feng shui tips, a temple in Raffles Place might just hold the key to finding your soulmate.
As a multicultural city where Chinese culture is prominent, Singapore boasts many iconic temples for both devotees and tourists. However, one temple often overlooked is the historical Yueh Hai Ching Temple, a recipient of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award. With its gold gilding, historic ornamentation, and ceramic figurines depicting Chinese classics, this temple is a true gem.
Known as the “Love Temple,” Yueh Hai Ching is the go-to place for anyone seeking the blessings of Yue Lao, the deity of love and marriage. If you’ve been lamenting your love life, it might be time to visit this temple along Philip Street.
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Established in 1826, Yueh Hai Ching Temple, or Wak Hai Ching Bio in the Teochew dialect, is the oldest Teochew temple in Singapore. It was built by early Teochew immigrants to express gratitude to the Goddess of the Sea, Mazu, for their safe passage to Singapore. Over the years, its devotees have shifted from sailors to love-seekers.
The temple features two halls: Tian Hou Gong on the left, where devotees pay respects to Mazu, and Shang Di Gong on the right, dedicated to Xuan Tian Shang Di (Heavenly Father). The famous Yue Lao idol resides in the right hall, surrounded by numerous red strings hung by hopeful singles. In Chinese mythology, Yue Lao is said to unite predestined couples with a red string under the moonlight.
If you’d like to seek Yue Lao’s blessings, you can obtain a red string from the temple and offer a prayer before hanging it around his neck. A donation of S$12 is requested, which goes toward temple maintenance. You can also bring mooncakes as offerings to the deity.
Of course, the Yueh Hai Ching temple is not just all about love. Since you are already at the temple, why not take the time to admire its intricate ornamentation which underwent a $7.5 million restoration and earned it a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage award?
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Built in the typology of Teochew traditional Chinese architectural style, its richly ornamented roof, timber carvings, dragon and tiger 3D walls and meticulously sculpted ceramic figurines are a magnificent sight to behold.
One of the most notable features of the Yueh Hai Ching Temple is its roof which is decorated with detailed ceramic figurines that depict popular Chinese legends. They look very much like puppets from a Teochew opera and were painstakingly recreated by Shantou craftsmen using a traditional Teochew technique known as cut-and-paste porcelain shard work.
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The tiger and dragon frescoes adorning the walls of the inner halls are also very eye-catching, partly due to their bold colours and 3D effect. Before you leave the temple, don’t forget to take a good look at the exquisite stone and wood carvings which convey popular folklore as well.
Whether you are a devotee who wants to pay your respects to the deities, or an architectural buff who wants to admire this century-old heritage landmark, Yueh Hai Ching temple has much to offer. Do drop by this temple the next time you are exploring the area!
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Address: 30B Philip Street
Opening Hours: Daily from 8am to 5pm
Directions: Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station, exit B, and walk along Telok Ayer Street before turning into Philip Street.
