Incense sticks at Temple of Celebratory Clouds
Apparently this temple was first established in 1636. Its name Temple of Celebratory Clouds was probably so named because it sits high on a hill and the ancient mythology that the God of Heaven (or Sky) has control over all weather conditions and the movement of the sun, cloud, rain and wind.
The temple is a massive structure built on the hillside of Dinghu Mountain, containing over 100 inter-connected rooms or halls over five terraces.
xxxx
My mother had a very difficult childhood. China in the 1940s and 1950s was in social, political and economic turmoil. When my mother was only 11, her parents had no choice but to send her off alone to Hong Kong to live with her aunt. My mother hence started working at age 11 even though she really wanted to go to school instead. Imagine a girl without the care and love of her parents, and she was able to go back to China to visit her parents once a year, and only for a few days each time.
In any case, when she was still small, she remembered her uncle telling her about Dinghu Mountain, which is a scenic mountain park with an old temple. Ever since her teens, she had wanted to visit this Dinghu Mountain. But life was tough in those days. She dreamt of going, but never could. Fast forward 60 years, we're now determined to taker her there.
The original plan was, I was to accompany her to see it too. But then my brother also wanted to go and he could only go BEFORE my arrival in China (my mother left Toronto for China a week before me). So? They all went to Dinghu Mountain before I could get to China.
But the main thing is my mother finally got to see it. Perhaps one day I will too!
Incense sticks at Temple of Celebratory Clouds
Apparently this temple was first established in 1636. Its name Temple of Celebratory Clouds was probably so named because it sits high on a hill and the ancient mythology that the God of Heaven (or Sky) has control over all weather conditions and the movement of the sun, cloud, rain and wind.
The temple is a massive structure built on the hillside of Dinghu Mountain, containing over 100 inter-connected rooms or halls over five terraces.
xxxx
My mother had a very difficult childhood. China in the 1940s and 1950s was in social, political and economic turmoil. When my mother was only 11, her parents had no choice but to send her off alone to Hong Kong to live with her aunt. My mother hence started working at age 11 even though she really wanted to go to school instead. Imagine a girl without the care and love of her parents, and she was able to go back to China to visit her parents once a year, and only for a few days each time.
In any case, when she was still small, she remembered her uncle telling her about Dinghu Mountain, which is a scenic mountain park with an old temple. Ever since her teens, she had wanted to visit this Dinghu Mountain. But life was tough in those days. She dreamt of going, but never could. Fast forward 60 years, we're now determined to taker her there.
The original plan was, I was to accompany her to see it too. But then my brother also wanted to go and he could only go BEFORE my arrival in China (my mother left Toronto for China a week before me). So? They all went to Dinghu Mountain before I could get to China.
But the main thing is my mother finally got to see it. Perhaps one day I will too!