Monday, January 4, 2010

Thai and Chinese Temples: Spot the difference

Buddhism is the major religion in Thailand and it is also the largest and fastest-growing religion in China. Thus, in both countries we can see temples everywhere. Thais usually go to the temple or wat to pray, offer some merits to the monks such as food, fruits, money, saffron robes, etc or perform religious rites. Some go there to light some candles or incense while they say their wish. Unlike Christian churches which are used to gather together and listen to the sermon or mass and sing praises or hymns on a regular basis such as on Sundays or Saturdays, temples are used as a gathering place for people who are attending religious ceremonies such as funeral or a cremation  where monks officiate the  the funeral prayers usually in chant.
In Thailand, temples are favorite tourist attractions and have become one of its major symbols. Thai temples can be easily distinguished as they have some distinct architectural features. Can you tell whether these temples are Thai or Chinese? 




The curved roof-ends give the tip of the eaves a highly distinctive look and add to the graceful appearance of Thai temples and traditional houses. These are symbolic of the 'nagas' or river dragons.

 
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13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Miss A! I'm recovering na pero si fifi, kawawa pa rin kasi very sick pa... Ano nga ba ang difference ng chinese at thai temple?? Cguro yong dragon? hehehehe...

Salamat po sa bisita miss A! Miss u na...

nice A said...

@Fifi, glad to know you're now recovering. Hope
Fifi will get well soon.
Dragon in Chinese temples? Tsarararan... Let others guess first then I'll tell you later.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

A Buddhist temple
bedecked with dragons breathing
blessings bright as fire…

Milkmaids with ruby sashes!

Shoshana said...

gorgeous! Is it the dragons? Because both of them are quite ornate and grand.

Kim, USA said...

Lovely pictures for this two temples..magnificently well crafted. In Cebu is where we go and see the Taoist temple. Thanks for sharing!

RRT:Macopa fruit

shengmarie said...

I think it's the color, haha, i dunno, but oh well, hard to spot it, unless i'm well aware of the culture. Happy New Year Ms. Nice. I hope you visit us again soon.

Dhemz said...

ayay! super bonggacious ng architectures....:)I can recognize the differences of the temples....yung sa chinese temple kasi may dragons...hehehe..yung sa thai naman yung may hindu gods ba yon...ehhehe!

kathy said...

Hahahha... akala ko may answer na kung ano ang difference, wla pa rin pala... hahahha... Chege na sagutin mo na Miss A!

Here again to visit you.. Swerte mo kay Jako kasi hindi sya masyadong sakitin... Tapos dami na ng teeth nya...

nice A said...

@Dhemz & kathy dragon is for Chinese temple? Hmmmm, may be right. What about Thai? Answer coming out soon...
scribbler, where art thou to give the difference?

philly5113 said...

I can't tell one from the other, sadly. I do know that these are some awesome pictures! The beauty of temples are exceptional. I wonder if there is something in the colors. one seem to have more red or dark colors the othr lighter colors and golds. I guess like the others wrote the dragons seems more prominent on one than the other. In any case, I love 'em all.
Hurry up and tell us.

maria said...

These temples are amazing. Great capture!

Mine are here and here.

nice A said...

So here you are. Many of you rightly guessed the distinct feature of Chinese temples- dragon. Most Thai temples, on the other hand, have curved or pointed ends on the roof as ornaments usually made of carved teak wood.

kathy said...

Yay! I'm right! hehehhe...

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