天官賜福 Tian Guan Ci Fu

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While walking around the city, I discovered an unspeakable familiarity, probably because I am a descendant of overseas Chinese who migrated to Thailand and are familiar with Chinese culture and customs. Therefore, I noticed and was interested in the shrine at every front of the Chinese Hokkien house living in Penang. It reflects the beliefs of Chinese people who live in Penang. Every entrance of their homes has the shrine of Tian Guan (Heaven Official) with writing "天官賜福". Most Chinese worship Tian Guan because they believe the sky is an infinitely great nature. They respected Tian Guan as the creator of all things and the determinant of humanity. When I looked at the house's entrance and noticed a different form of the shrine, I found it interesting that it was different. The uninhabited houses can be seen from the shrine in front of the houses as there is no incense burner, no housekeeping, no fruit offerings, and missing signs.

This project aims to demonstrate the belief in the significance and prevalent Tian Guan among the Hokkien people in Penang. The variety of shrines in front of their houses come in different forms. The shrine in front of their homes quickly noticed this variation among those living there. In a place where there are still people living inside, incense sticks, fruit, and flower water are signs that there are still people taking care of and worshipping the shrine in this house. And these things will begin to disappear when no one lives there, demonstrating faith and the existence of people.