Creative (This week's Photo Hunt theme)

The Hainanese Temple on Muntri Street near the center of the old part of George Town, Penang's capital city, is formally known as Thean Ho Keong (trans., "Temple of the Heavenly Queen"). Founded sometime before 1866 (though no one is certain when exactly), that which is dedicated to the Taoist goddess known as Mah Chor to the Hokkiens (and, evidently, the Hainanese as well) -- but Tin Hau to the Cantonese who also have built many Tin Hau temples in her honor in Hong Kong and Macau -- actually is not Penang's oldest temple. (Instead, that honor goes to the Kuan Yin (i.e., Goddess of Mercy) Temple which dates back to 1800.)

And although many of you viewing the photographs of it -- specifically, one of its front facade and three close-up shots of some of its many intricately carved decorative stone panels that I'm sure you'd agree make for an impressive testament to human creativity -- on this entry may not be able to believe it, neither is it the most highly decorated traditional Chinese building on the island! (Instead, that honor has to fall to the Khoo Kongsi (i.e., the Khoo Clan House) which I have to admit that I've no photographs of to share -- but, should you be curious, you can go here to check out some photos of this ultra-elaborately decorated structure.)

Something else that some of you might be surprised to find out: Although they're very traditional looking, the carvings actually were only done in 1995. So, yes, however ancient the artistic tradition may look and be, the fact of the matter is that it's one which also is very much alive and well -- albeit not in Malaysia...since the sculptors involved in the creative enterprise had to be especially brought from Mainland China to Penang to carry out the work.