James Baquet

    WE often read that “Shenzhen was just a small fishing village” before 1980. But just before 1980, it was actually a string of villages along the coast. One of these is Shangsha Village, one of the many settled by Shenzhen’s ancient and ubiquitous Huang family.

    Beside the Huang family hall there’s a Tianhou Temple, a sign of how “coastal” this village was, because Tianhou is a goddess of the sea, also called Mazu.

    She is on the central altar inside the temple. To her left (as we face her) is Kui Xing, the demonic-looking assistant to Wen Chang, the God of Literature. Kui Xing is the stellar Deity of Examinations who is often petitioned by scholars before big exams. The exquisite statue holds a brush pen used to mark “pass” on examinations.

    To Tianhou’s right is Cai Shen, the God of Wealth, another extremely well-fashioned image. He holds an old-style gold ingot, symbolizing money.

    Aside from these altars and the one in the Huang Family Hall, there is one more, across the plaza. This is for Tudi, the Earth God. Too low-status to be inside a temple, his platforms are often found outside and to the “southeast” (if the temple altar faces south).

    The plaza also includes a performance stage and space for people to play and relax.

    The village lies just south of the intersection of Fuqiang and Binhe roads in Futian District.

    Notice: James Baquet will be leading free “Culture and History Walks” in Shenzhen on Saturday mornings in October and November. Write to him for more information: jamesbaquet@gmail.com