Door Guardians
April 17th, 2004 - Saturday
Door Guardians are usually found on the main doors, facing out, in Chinese temples, clan and trade association buildings and old houses. Some are painted onto the doors while others are printed on paper and pasted on. They are depicted as ancient Chinese Imperial Generals in full military regalia, are ferocious looking and standing ready in a martial stance. It is the belief that the guardians prevent roaming demons and ghosts from entering the house thus protecting the inhabitants within.
Peter, Wuan and I had wanted to eat dim sum at one of the shops in Campbell Street one morning. Parking space was scarce and Peter had to drive around to look for one. He finally found a vacant space in Rope Walk, or now known as Jalan Pintal Tali, and that was where we stumbled upon this duo of guardians which looked unlike those found elsewhere. The guardians looked sedate and void of all the military garbs. Instead they were illustrated wearing noblemen�s attire and holding brass wine cups.
April 19th, 2004 at 17:27
the life size door guardians look very nice. hmm… i haven’t come across it in rope walk. but then again it had been ages i had never been to rope walk, so that figures.
April 19th, 2004 at 19:57
There are still lots of interesting sights in Penang that we have yet to discover.
April 20th, 2004 at 11:14
u juz reminded me of how i missed my photo-taking sessions and going from street to street on foot. i think i might do just that this thursday or the weekends.
April 20th, 2004 at 22:40
Do not forget to post the photos. I love to see those old buildings with intricate designs. These are fast disappearing.
April 21st, 2004 at 01:54
Hello…knock knock!
April 21st, 2004 at 13:50
Is this going to be a knock knock joke?
August 20th, 2005 at 00:13
The door guardians. Do you know what’s in the building they are guarding?. I saw in the net recently that the building is called MENG ENG CHOO, Ghee Hin Hall of Heroes.Is the “Ghee Hin” refered to the Cantonese Ghee Hin triad society of the old days? If you have more information, it will be great. If not, thanks for the post.
August 22nd, 2005 at 16:43
Lum,
I am sorry. I do not have any information on that. Perhaps I will ask around.