Title
Sculpture of the Sack Monk at Haw Par Villa
Year/Period
1970s-1980s
Region
Singapore
Dimension
Image size: 7 x 10.2 cm
Accession No.
1998-00327-008
Collection of
This travelling monk of the Liang period (907-923) was commonly known as the Sack Monk as he was always seen carrying a big sack on his back, in which he kept his mattress and meal utensils. It was said the monk acquired divinity after he died, when he was still seen in many places, walking and carrying the sack as before. The scuplture of the Sack Monk is one of several others in Haw Par Villa, which was constructed based on the theme of Chinese folklore and legend. Originally called Tiger Balm Gardens, the villa was built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who was also synonymous with Tiger Balm, the renowned ointment that was successfully marketed in Singapore and around the region.
