Object
3rd Feb 2010Posted in: Object, Reading Menu 17
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Part 2: Lion’s Gate

Good Morning guys :)

We are at the main entrance of the temple now. This beautiful gate are painted in red with bronze decoration.

Red colored door are very popular amongst Chinese culture. Wonder is there meaning behind the red color on the door or gate?

We know that in the past, when land and sea are the only options of travelling, merchants from the east meets the west at the famous route called “Silk Road.” While they trade merchandise and exotic spices, they also trade culture and story.

One of the famous story comes from the glorious civilization on that era, Egypt.

The Chinese heard the story about how the children of Israel, being protected from Angel of Death which slained thousands of first-born in the land of Egypt. How they are protected? By applying the blood of a Lamb on the door of the house. As the story only travels from mouth to mouth, it became slightly distorted, but the meaning remains the same. Blood or red color on the door post for protection from harm.

Red is a very auspicious color for Chinese. It signifies Sacrifice, New Hope, Protection and Life.

by flyingbeagle


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17 Responses

  1. Icy BC says:

    Beautiful photos, and interesting information!

  2. kikamz says:

    i agree.. red is a color that has a very rich history..

    nice shot of the red door. you captured the red wonderfully.

  3. Nicole says:

    Those shots are awesome!

  4. rainfield says:

    When I see Red these few days, I’ll say Happy Chinese New Year..

  5. Jouir la vie says:

    It`s a very interesting and new information about chinese cultue for me. In Germany the most doors are only white or brawn, never colored…
    Servus and have a nice day
    Kvelli

  6. Lin says:

    I like my red in the envelope shape! ;)

  7. wenn says:

    red for chinese new year means prosperity! Btw, I hv an award for you!

  8. vanillaseven says:

    Icy, kikamz, Nicole: Thank you :)

    rainfield: Happy Chinese New Year to you then :)

    Kvelli: Maybe you can start the door revolution in Germany! Paint your door with bright color!

    Lin: Please come here, I will give you one :P

    Wenn: Thank you so much!!

  9. Marg says:

    That really is an interesting door. And I didn’t know that red in Chinese means protection. That is so great. And wonderful pictures.

  10. sharkbytes says:

    I love how you’ve framed that first picture of the door. You really have made it art instead of just a photo!

  11. vanillaseven says:

    Marg: Red color plays important part in Chinese culture.

    sharkbyte: Thank you for your kind comment sharkie :)

  12. Ratty says:

    These photos are very good. I especially like the door knocker. I think I like the story that goes with it even more. I really love stories like that.

  13. I’ve been visiting thru EC for a while but now Im commenting because I’m visiting from harriets comment love and nice to meet you :) I think I actually visited you first thru Lin, at duck and wheel maybe?

    Tracy

  14. Stopping by from comment love. Great photos.:)

  15. Harriet says:

    Hi there.
    I’m stopping by to thank you for signing up to participate in Blog Love Commenting this month.
    Thanks so much!
    Harriet

  16. Beautiful door and I’m so glad you told me what red stood for because I always wondered why it was used so frequently.

    You know at first glance before I saw the whole pictures, I thought they were chocolates on a red table. Guess I have chocolate on the brain ♥

  17. Michelle says:

    Stopping by from Comment Luv.

    I love those pics of the red door. I occasionally see red doors around here and have always loved them. Now I will appreciate them even more.

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