Jesus, etc., a photo from Macau, Sud

Photographer's Note

Here's one more from Macau, that former Portuguese colony in the south of China, now famous for casinos and gambling.

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Macau was one of the missionary strongholds in the east. Many attempts have been made to bring Jesus to China, but all failed somewhere along the line.

Ordinary Chinese just didn't get why they would have to give up their ancient philosophies for a religion that involved the worhsip of a tortured body.

Then the learned Jezuits decided to try and convert the Emperor, assuming that the people would then follow automatically.

Good thinking, except that while the Emperors welcomed their western science, technology and even art, the divine ones never really got around to their religion.

And in the end the old Jezuits learned more about Chinese thought and philosphy than the other way round.

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This picture shows a portable Christ head, handy for travelling missionaries. This artefact can be found in the treasury of one of the old Portuguese churches of Macau.

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song title reference: Wilco

Fis2, jhm, bukitgolfb301, danos, alvaraalto trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

emka (152314) 2017-01-30 1:14

hello Benny,

I like your note very much. Happy Chinese that they didn't want the Christians. And why should they. Worship of a tortured body, haha. But the main thing is the power over people. I find this Christ head in the cage rather amusing. Thanks for sharing

Kind regrads Malgo

Fis2 (155699) 2017-01-30 1:43

Witaj Benny!
A very interesting picture.
Good frame, colors and light.
Head of Christ makes an impression.
Good note.
Well done.
Nice day.
Krzysztof

Nicou (193806) 2017-01-30 1:48

Hello

quelle image de la tête du Christ avec la couronne épineuse dans cette boîte de bois précieuse sueprbe.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

jhm (203085) 2017-01-30 3:35

Dag Benny,

Bijna niet te geloven dat men zoiets vindt in China.
Ik zou geen christus beeld verwachten ginder achter, maar door dat u veel reist zien we ook heel veel.
Heel mooi scherp en helder gefotografeerd.
Mooi gedaan, bedankt.

Groeten uit Oost-Vlaanderen,
John

Sergiom (117241) 2017-01-30 5:46

Bonjour Benny,

Je me demande bien pourquoi quelqu'un a un jour décidé de mette cette tête dans une boite au couvert de verre. Original certes mais pas vraiment de bon goût. La photo est techniquement correcte.

Amicalement

Serge

danos (110407) 2017-01-30 23:17

Hello Benny,
informative your note about the attempts to bring Jesus in China.The portable Christ head is presented perfect in the wooden box.

Regards,Danos

bukitgolfb301 (53894) 2017-01-30 23:18

Hi Bonjour dear Benny

Very intersting Statue shot by a world traveler, you!
Very nice reporturge shot.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

alvaraalto (42318) 2017-02-01 12:46

Dag Benny
Een boeiend verhaal bij dit achter glas opgeborgen Christuskop. Ik kan me wel voorstellen dat als de missionarissen hier mee rond liepen er weinig bekeerlingen gevonden werden.
Groet Rob

jmdias (102982) 2017-02-14 14:48

benny

macau is a place I want to visit when I will go to china.
the head of jesus has a strong similarity with the jesus of aleijadinho, the most famous baroque artist of brazil, but with less mood.nice details of the piece of art.

hugs

jorge