Singaporean Mandarin Database
This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.
vicinity of Elgin Bridge
释义
名词
坐落于新加坡河口的埃尔金桥（Elgin Bridge，又称爱琴桥）附近一带。
DEFINITION
Noun
Area around Elgin Bridge at the mouth of the Singapore River.
由来
- 有说法认为水仙门这个名称是源自宋代泉州府海关附近的水仙门（因当地有一座船员祭祀的水仙宫而得名）。
- 水仙宫奉祀水仙尊王。水神水仙尊王是船民海商的护佑神之一，可保佑水上航行平安。早期渡海而来的新加坡华人以福建人居多，当中又以泉州人和漳州人为主。
- 根据现有的史料考证，新加坡早期并无水仙宫。有说法认为，水仙门地名的沿用是早期泉州移民以泉州海口代指新加坡河口，以延续故乡的风土人情。
ETYMOLOGY
- It is believed that the name “水仙门” originated from “水仙门” (Water Deity Gate) near the customs in Quanzhou Prefecture during the Song Dynasty, which was in turn named after a local “水仙宫” (Water Deity Temple) where seafarers went for worshipping.
- The temple was dedicated to the “水仙尊王” (Honourable Water Immortal King[s]). He is one of the deities protecting seafarers and sea merchants, ensuring their safe voyages at sea. In the early days, most of the Chinese people who came to Singapore by sea were from Fujian province, with the majority being from Quanzhou and Zhangzhou.
- According to available historical records, there was no temple named “水仙宫” in Singapore in the early days. It is believed that the name “水仙门” was coined by early Quanzhou immigrants to refer to the mouth of the Singapore River, in reference to the estuary of Quanzhou, in a bid to preserve the customs and traditions of their homeland.
例句
至于新加坡河畔消失的老地标水仙门，一般认为这个地名跟福建同安水仙宫和厦门水仙宫相关。（《联合早报》，8 /8/2019）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
As for the disappearing old landmark “水仙门” along the Singapore River, it is generally believed that the name of the place is related to the two “水仙宫” temples in Tong'an and Xiamen, Fujian province. (Lianhe Zaobao, 8/8/2019)
相关资料
- 如今坐落于驳船北码头（North Boat Quay）的水仙门中心（High Street Centre ，旧称水仙门商业大厦）及埃尔金桥（俗称水仙门吊桥），命名或俗称都和水仙门相关。
- 桥北路（North Bridge Road）和禧街（Hill Street）的旧称分别为水仙门头街和水仙门二街。
RELATED INFORMATION
- The present High Street Centre (“水仙门中心”, formerly known as “水仙门商业大厦”) and Elgin Bridge (commonly known as “水仙门吊桥”), both located at North Boat Quay, are named or commonly referred to in relation to “水仙门”.
- North Bridge Road and Hill Street were formerly known as “水仙门头街” and “水仙门二街” respectively.