Bell inscriptions, Innisfail Temple
Date Published
: Traditional
: AI
Innisfail (Geraldton) Joss House bell inscription
風調雨順
Pinyin: fēng tiáo yǔ shùn
Cantonese (Jyutping): fung¹ tiu⁴ jyu⁵ seon⁶
Meaning:
“Favourable winds and timely rains.”
A common inscription on bells, see Atherton and Cairns Temple bells.
Innisfail (Geraldton) Joss House bell inscription
烈聖宮
Pinyin: liè shèng gōng
Cantonese (Jyutping): lit⁶ sing³ gung¹
Meaning:
“Lit Sing Temple” or “Temple of the Venerable Sage.”
Innisfail (Geraldton) Joss House bell inscription
炎曆卅三年歲次戊戌
Pinyin: yán lì sà sān nián suì cì wù xū
Cantonese (Jyutping): jim⁴ lik⁶ saap³ saam¹ nin⁴ seoi³ ci³ mat⁶ seot⁶
Translation:
“Flame Calendar, 33rd year, cyclical year Wu Xu (戊戌).”
This is a date inscription. “炎曆” (“Flame Calendar”) is not a standard imperial reign title, but it appears to be a local or commemorative calendar name used by the foundry or temple (some Taiwanese and Southeast-Asian temples coined such era names). The rest states it was made in the 33rd year of that calendar, corresponding to a specific zodiac year 1898 CE, or possibly 1938 CE. The existing Innisfail Temple was built in 1940 but replaced another temple so either date is plausible, however that the bell was simply continued in use is most likely.
