Known to be the protector of seafarers, the Heavenly Queen was popularly worshipped by Chinese immigrants seeking a safe passage across the South China Sea to Southeast Asia during the 19th century. The statue of the Heavenly Queen is one of several others depicted in Haw Par Villa, which was constructed to portray the themes of Chinese legends and folklore. Originally called Tiger Balm Gardens, the theme park was built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, a prominent businessman and philanthropist whose name became synonymous with Tiger Balm, the renowned analgesic ointment that was successfully marketed around the Southeast Asian region.
