The statue of this monk in the Tiger Balm Gardens as seen in the photograph no longer exists. However it resembles a modified version of another monk near the ten courts of hell. The priest could be Fa Hai, a character in The Legend of Madame White Snake. The story depicts between the relationship between a mortal and a non-mortal - in this case a white snake who had taken human form - which Fa Hai is opposed to and tried to stop. Stories such as Madame White Snake’s were aplenty at Haw Par Villa, which has on display a wide range of sculptures that showcase themes from Chinese folklore and legends. Originally called Tiger Balm Gardens, Haw Par Villa was built 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.
