Nikki's Photography

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Ornate architectural detail, exterior of Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Malacca, Malaysia. The temple was established in the 1600’s, with two halls added in 1704 and the bulk of it constructed in 1801 by craftsmen from China’s southern provinces. The architecture conforms strictly to the principles of feng shui, incorporating the fundamental belief that every aspect of life is closely related to attaining perfect harmony with nature. The interior is saturated with symbolism and intricate gold-covered carvings framing the walls and ceilings.

The Cheng Hoon Teng temple ministers to Malacca’s Chinese community, particularly those devoted to the order of San Chiao or the Three Doctrinal Systems of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Photos here show various methods of prayer for the souls of the deceased, as in candles, photos of the deceased and messages on gold,  and offerings in the form of mass-produced objects mocking material items they might desire in afterlife.

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Chinese guardian lions, known in the West as Fu Dogs, represent male and female energies, or yin and yang in Chinese philosophical context, supporting the concept of harmony when displayed together. The lion statues are traditionally known in Chinese as Shi, and are usually depicted in pairs at a property entrance or gateway, as they are here at the front entrance to Cheng Hoon Teng temple. Though artistic interpretations and styles may vary, always the male leans his paw upon a ball or similar representation of strength and supremacy, and the female on the right restrains a playful cub representing nurture.

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After a few days of Singapore fave of fatty chicken and white rice platters I knew I had to find an alternative. Problem solved: Dragonfruit. White, fleshy interior with tiny black seeds, much like a kiwi – refreshing!

The very unusual Cannonball Tree Couroupita guianensis – a wonderfully unique flowering fruit tree growing on East Coast Beach, Singapore. The flowers are about 5″ wide and develop in massive 12 foot-long bunches. The fruit is about 8 – 10 inches across, and apparently has a very unpleasant odor. The tree has been regarded as sacred in India for thousands of years, and the bark, leaves and fruit have been used medicinally as a disinfectant; even believed to cure diseases like malaria.

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The Gateway Arch in  St. Louis, Missouri was built in 1965, commemorating Thomas Jefferson and the westward expansion of the United States. One of the most influential people in the history of  United States, Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) was the the third U.S. president and author of the Declaration of Independence.

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