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Chao Pho Seua
Shrine (Phra Nakhon) |
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Sahn Chao Pho Seua,
i.e.
the
Chao Pho Seua
Shrine in Phra Nakhon,
Bangkok,
is a Chinese
joss
house devoted to the ‘Tiger Guardian Spirit’, who in
Chinese is known as
Xuanwu
(fig.),
a name that translates as ‘Mysterious Warrior’ or ‘Black
Warrior’. |
The shrine is
in the Southern Chinese architectural style and it is
unsure when exactly it was built, though it was
originally located on Bamrung Meuang Road and initially
housed a real golden image weighing 120 baht, i.e. ca.
1.8 kilogram, which was stolen in 1817 and for which the
local
Nai Amphur
was punished with 30 lashes for neglect. |
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Chao Pho Seua
Shrine (Phra Nakhon) |
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Chao Pho Seua
Shrine (Phra Nakhon) |
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In the reign of King
Rama V, Bamrung Meuang
Road was expanded for auto transport and the shrine was
relocated to its present location, among false claims by
opponents that the spirits had forecasted dangers if the
move would go ahead. |
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