In Perspective Planet: Places of worship.

[Jerome Marot]

In the far east, you will find little places of worship like this one almost everywhere. I have been told that they are spirit houses: when one builds a house, the local spirits are displaced. In order not to make them angry, the custom is to build a little house for them next to the main building. That little house is made especially attractive with offerings and bright colors.

[Asher Kelman]

Originally Posted by Jerome Marot

In the far east, you will find little places of worship like this one almost everywhere. I have been told that they are spirit houses: when one builds a house, the local spirits are displaced. In order not to make them angry, the custom is to build a little house for them next to the main building. That little house is made especially attractive with offerings and bright colors.

Excellent observations and picture, Jerome. Man realizes our small place in the universe!

Asher

[Jerome Marot]

It is not really "observation", this kind of little things are found along the street.

For example, next to that little spirit house, I saw this:

Not a banana tree.

The tree is obviously not a banana tree, I have no idea why the fruits were attached to it.

[Cem_Usakligil]

Originally Posted by Jerome Marot

I....The tree is obviously not a banana tree, I have no idea why the fruits were attached to it.

Obviously not, bananas don't grow on trees. :)

[Jerome Marot]

Botanically speaking, you are right, as banana plants are not really "trees". But they are usually considered as such because of their size.

[Cem_Usakligil]

Originally Posted by Jerome Marot

Botanically speaking, you are right, as banana plants are not really "trees". But they are usually considered as such because of their size.

I knew you knew ;)

[Jerome Marot]

Good. Now that we have exhausted the subject of bananas, let's go back to places of worship:

[Cem_Usakligil]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

.man realizes our small place in the universe!

Asher

Just curious, how so?

[Cem_Usakligil]

Originally Posted by Jerome Marot

Good. Now that we have exhausted the subject of bananas, let's go back to places of worship:...

Lead the way. Lovely pictures Jerome.

[Asher Kelman]

Originally Posted by Cem_Usakligil

Obviously not, bananas don't grow on trees. :)

You're mistaken! I just checked with my 4 year old grandson and he is sure of it!

[Asher Kelman]

Originally Posted by Cem_Usakligil

Just curious, how so?

That, my good friend Cem, is an evening's chat with good wine. We'll have to arrange for that.

Asher

[fahim mohammed]

The website backup has been requested. So I am still kicking!!

I have always maintained that to get to know a place, one must get to know the people.

To get to know the people, one must get to know what it is that they hold dear.

Faith? Money? whatever. Know that and, for me at least, my photography has been more productive.

Jerome, these are two very different images you show us of different beliefs. I particularly like

the picture inside the church. The color and the contrast add significantly to the main subject.

Thanks for sharing.

Edit: My good wife has asked me to remove a sentence. Might be misunderstood, she says.

[Jerome Marot]

Originally Posted by fahim mohammed

I particularly like the picture inside the church. The color and the contrast add significantly to the main subject.

I am glad you like the picture, but this is not a church but a taoist temple. Facing the priest, you see Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy.

[Jerome Marot]

On the first picture, you may have notice the offering of incense sticks. Normally, the offerings are made in bundle of three, as shown here (same temple):

Triplicate.

From the shape of these offerings comes the belief that planting your chopsticks in your bowl of rice is very rude. The reason is that the chopstick standing out the bowl would look like an incense offering and these are usually offered to the deceased. In summary: if you do that at someone's place, you are wishing their death.

[fahim mohammed]

Originally Posted by Jerome Marot

I am glad you like the picture, but this is not a church but a taoist temple. Facing the priest, you see Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy.

Thank you, for correcting me. My apologies to anyone I might have offended due to my ignorance.

Regards.

[Jerome Marot]

No offense taken.

In the next picture, you'll see people lighting incense sticks for the offering:

This will be the last picture from that particular city, but I have others taken in different places of worship if there is interest.