"A temple which faces the inner harbour"

Imagem não incluída na obra referida

Temple at Macao

There is at Macao a temple which faces the inner harbour which in addition to its very picturesque situation possesses an interest as the object of a singular superstition. It consists of several edifices of various dimensions built on points of the very abrupt and elevated rock surrounded by trees which conceal them in a great measure from sight. The naked roots cover the rock in many places penetrating the crevices to seek nourishment from the small accumulations of soil which they contain. Stairs cut in the rock lead in various di rections winding round the large masses to termi nate at the entrance of these shrines Large in scriptions are deeply cut in the rocks and filled with vermilion. The superstition which has rendered this temple celebrated is as follows. 

A fleet of boats being about to sail from Fuh Keën, a lady appeared in one of them and advised the fishermen to defer their sailing for that in spite of the favourable appearance of the weather a storm was certainly approaching. Regardless of the warn ing all the boats composing the fleet sailed with the exception of a single one all save this one were lost and every one on board perished. The boat on board of which this lady made her appearance sailed when the tempest had subsided and with her safely reached Macao where on landing she immediately disappeared.

This temple is built on the spot where the lady vanished and is called neang ma ko, a temple of the queen of heaven. She is esteemed the protectress of mariners who invoke her in distress crying a ma oh mother.

At the landing place are constantly to be seen fragments of vessels anchors spars & which have been left there in grateful recollection by sailors who have escaped danger by her supposed assistance.

On returning from sea it is customary for sailors to repair to this temple return thanks and make an offering of odoriferous matches gilt paper & which is burnt before one of the altars.

The whole neighbourhood is inhabited by the lowest classes of the Macao Chinese whose collections of houses are the most dirty and offensive that can be imagined. The houses being very small and the in habitants in most cases very numerous the army of fowls pigs and children which appertains to each is little conducive to cleanliness or quiet."

Excerto de 

Sketches of China, W. W. Wood, 1830