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the East Gate of which, Go-Kim-lai, (31 吳金來) and Go-Hoan-ji (32 吳喚兒) are the guardians. Practically, there is only one Gate represented in the Singapore Lodges, but theoretically, the city has a Gate at each point of the compass, guarded respectively by the ancient heroes,[1] Han-peng, (33 韓朋) Han-Hok, (34 韓福) Teⁿ-Chhan (35 鄭田國) and Li-chhang-kok, (36 李昌) whose flags adorn the City walls,

The couplet on the East Gate is,

"At the command of the General, the gate opens and myriads stream forth.
The awe-inspiring "Ang" heroes, guard the entrance to the " Willow City."

Also the following.

"To the East, in the wood, it is difficult to walk quickly.
"The sun appearing above the hills, rises from the Eastern Ocean.

On the West Gate.

"In the metal road of the West, one must be careful,
"But of the two paths, the Western is more clear.

On the South Gate.

"The fiery South Road, is exceedingly hot.
Chang-Chiu, Chuan-Chiu, and Yen-ping,[2] extend their protection as far as the Southern Capital.

The couplet of the North Gate[3] is,

"The Northern waters are deep and hard to cross.
In Yun-nan and Sze-Chuan there is a way by which we can pass."

Entering the East Gate of the "City of Willows," we come to the "Red flowery Pavilion," (37 紅花亭) before which Chiang Kiet-hin (38 蔣結興) dispenses the purifying waters of the Sam-Ho, (39 三河) or three Rivers, to the new members.

Above the Pavilion is the Grand Altar, (40 壇) with the pulpit of the Sien-Seng, or Master of the Lodge; and on the East side, is the "Circle of Heaven and Earth,"(41 乾坤圈) with its couplet.

"Agitate Heaven and Earth, and reform the world.
"Let the "Beng" triumph, and let righteousness obtain throughuot the Empire.
  1. See "Hung League" p. 21.
  2. Prefectures of Hok-Kien,
  3. According to Chinese ideas the 4 cardinal points and the centre represent the 5 elements, viz: E. wood, W. metal, S. fire, N, water, centre, earth.