Definition

Noun: A Chinese temple or shrine dedicated to the worship of idols or deities.

Usage

This term specifically refers to a place of worship in Chinese folk religion or Taoism, where idols, statues, or tablets representing gods, ancestors, or spirits are venerated. It is a historical term more common in older English texts, particularly those describing Chinese communities outside China.

Examples

• The early Chinese immigrants built a joss house in the mining town.
• The museum features a replica of a 19th-century joss house.
• Visitors were respectful inside the quiet joss house.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term "joss house" originates from Pidgin English, where "joss" is a corruption of the Portuguese word "deus" (god). It was commonly used by European and American observers in the 18th and 19th centuries to describe Chinese temples, especially in Southeast Asia and North America.

Variants and Related Words

• Joss stick (n): A slender stick of incense burned in a joss house or before a home altar.
• Joss paper (n): Paper crafted to resemble money or goods, burned as an offering to spirits or ancestors in Chinese religious practice.

Synonyms

• Chinese temple
• Taoist temple (when specifically used for Taoist worship)
• Shrine (a more general term for a sacred place)

Notes on Meaning

While "joss house" is a recognized term, in modern academic or respectful contexts, more precise terms like "Chinese temple," "Taoist temple," or "ancestral hall" are often preferred. The word "joss" itself can sometimes carry a slightly antiquated or outsider's perspective.

Noun

1. a Chinese temple or shrine for idol worship