Home / Singapore Attractions / Meet a Craftsman at a Taoist Shop (Est. 1896) in Singapore
Meet a Craftsman at a Taoist Shop (Est. 1896) in Singapore
Duration
1 hour 30 minutes
Overview
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This 126-year-old Taoist statue-making family business is unknown to most tourists, and believed to be the last in Singapore.
At Say Tian Hng ("Garden of Western Heaven" in Hokkien), we will share the ancient legends from Taoist mythology, starring deities who are warlords, maidens, monks and beasts.
We will learn about the craft passed down over centuries in the family, involving joss stick ash, gold foil and bamboo sticks. We will learn about Taoist iconography via the motifs of flying dragons, dainty peonies, and floating castles.
We will learn how Singapore's rapid modernisation affected this shop, and how the 4th-generation is now reinventing the business.
Hands-on activities are not included but our artisans, 70-year-old Uncle Ah Yeow and his 91-year-old mum Auntie Chwee Lian will be present (if she feels well enough).
As our artisans do not speak English, these tours are the only way for tourists to learn about our work in a curated manner.
Hope to see you!
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