Haw Par Villa exhibit

Title
Haw Par Villa exhibit
Year/Period
1950s-1970s
Region
Singapore
Dimension
Image size: 8.8 x 14 cm
Accession No.
2000-05974

In showing the marriage between two entirely different animals – a rabbit and a rat as depicted on the right hand side of this image – this exhibit reflects the Buddhist belief in predestined relationships. The Chinese caption here has been wrongly inscribed ‘marriage between lamb and rabbit’. Originally called Tiger Balm Gardens, Haw Par Villa was built on Pasir Panjang Road by Aw Boon Haw in 1937. A prominent businessman and philanthropist, Aw had set up the gardens with the intention of educating the public about Chinese culture.