Manka Lungshan Temple
--Ao-yu
Ao-yu is a legendary animal with a head like a dragon's and a body like a carp's, and it is fond of swallowing fire. As most traditional Chinese buildings are built of wood, sculptures and statues of Ao-yu are normally added to the ridges and pillars to "prevent" fire. There is an interesting story about this legendary animal. Once upon a time, 360 carps swam against the current of the Yellow River to reach the Dragon Gate. By the time they arrived, their number had multiplied ten times. A carp jumped over the Dragon Gate and was transformed into a dragon. This dragon had nine sons, one of which was Ao-yu.