The wan (卍 or 卐) symbol, also known as the swastika, from the Sanskrit, or the hakenkreuz (“hooked cross”), gammadion cross, or tetraskelion, legitimately conjures up feelings or fear or distaste in the West, given its appropriation by the Nazis. In Asia, it has a long history as a geometric symbol originally seen as far […]
Archives for July 2016
wedding
There is no picture that I have ever taken of my brother Keith that captures how I see him as well as this. I knew it when I released the shutter, standing between him and the congregation on his wedding to Jill in September, 2014 in Melbourne. He was giving his groom’s speech. It’s […]
dancers
hands
A woman prepares incense sticks, binding them together with elastic bands. A priest performs a ceremony, painting in the pupils of the eyes of a god statue, cradling the leg of a statue with his hand. Both are taking part in a temple festival in the important Matsu temple of Chaotian Gong in […]
sleepy town
A trip to a temple town to thank the goddess for help finding a job. The last time we were here it was packed. The annual pilgrimage. This time the hot sun cast its shadows on empty streets, and we had time to look at houses lining the temple approach.
茶壺山
Not far from the popular tourist destination of Jioufen in New Taipei City, just past the Jioufen Gold Mine Museum and through the parking lot, a path leads up to a prominent outcrop. Some feel this outcrop resembles a teapot. Whether it does or not is entirely up to your own interpretation.