Rookwood, Quong Sin Tong Monument
The Quong Sin Tong Monument at Rookwood Cemetery dates back to 1877. This shrine was originally in the centre of the Chinese section and used by the community as a shrine for funeral ceremonial purposes. Quong Sin Tong was one of the earliest Chinese societies in the state of New South Wales. Up until the 1950s, the society helped with the exhumation of Chinese graves from Rookwood Cemetery for reburial in China, in accordance with the beliefs and practices of the community. In 2008 restoration work saw it returned as close as possible to its original condition. Work included carving of a new sandstone urn, replacing the rusted fencing and repairs to the historic moat and entrance steps.
For a photo of what it looked like before restoration see here.
It looks pretty and cool. Happy SS!
ReplyDeleteil est très beau ce monument, me fait penser a un monument russe
ReplyDeleteJim -- beautiful pictures (I went to the link to see the old one as well). But who was Quong Sin Tong?
ReplyDeleteAnd also (as long as I'm in a questioning mood) is there EVER a day in Sydney when the sun doesn't shine? (It's pouring buckets here in Florida right now.)
Wonderful to see it being restored. Is the restoration being funded with private or public money?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to measure time and how nice to see such a beautiful tribute, one wishes that something alike would be possible over here.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful start into the new week.
daily athens
I'm really enjoying your Rookwood series.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful monument. Who did it honor or celebrate?
ReplyDeleteBeautifully restored. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy this was restored! It's beautiful, and I like the cross on top.
ReplyDeleteYou don't often find 19th century Chinese shrines built (or still standing) in Australian cemeteries. Except perhaps in old gold-rush towns, badly cared for.
ReplyDeleteThankfully Rookwood has redone theirs nicely.
Great to see this tour around Rookwood as I haven't been there myself. You are showing me there is a lot more to it than I imagined.
ReplyDeleteSallie and Bill, Quong Sin Tong was an early Chinese society that was active in Rookwood and this shrine became a monument to them. I have added some info on their work to my post.
ReplyDeleteEG Wow, restoration work in the cemetery is initiated by the trust that runs it but also involves public donations, work by government groups and volunteers such as Friends of Rookwood.
Very nicely renovated. I'm glad.
ReplyDeleteQuong (or kuang or kwong) can mean ‘bright’ or ‘brilliant’. Sin (or shin) can mean ‘good’ or ‘righteous’. Tong means ‘society’, ‘association’, ‘clan’, ‘hall’ or ‘meeting place’. A possible meaning for Quong Sin Tong, then, is ‘Bright and Righteous Society’.
ReplyDeletePossible reasons for the monument’s apparent non-Chinese design –– all speculations –– include the anti-Chinese sentiment in the 1870s, the appropriation of a Western style for Chinese purposes or an attempt to adopt local architectural idiom, cultural cringe, the non-availability of appropriately skilled Chinese stonemasons or a combination of these reasons.
There are two European memorials nearby (Presbyterian Section) that have resemblance to the Quong Sin Tong monument. It is possible that the three structures were contemporary and built at about the same time, with variations to a basic design. It is possible that the same mason or stonemasonry company made all these three monuments.
Alphabet Soup, thanks for that info. That's all very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have read so many posts about the blogger lovers however this article is really a pleasant paragraph, keep it up.
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