Bukit Brown Cemetery - Tiles on Tour

A jungle in the middle of the island is the best place to understand Singapore - at least I think so. Learn more by joining a tour by a 'Brownie' - volunteer guides with a wealth of knowledge. I recently joined a tour on a public holiday, which had great turn-out with locals and visitors alike.

Learning amid the heat and mosquitoes can be interesting...seriously - these guides know their stuff and a classroom out in the open is better than any textbook! 

Decorative tiles can be found here and there in the cemetery - particularly on Peranakan graves. Excuse the large number of photos taken - there are so many beautiful and rare tiles that I have yet to see in other parts of Singapore. 

These flower tiles are of Japanese origin. The surrounding border tiles are also beautiful and probably from the UK. If you're equally fanatical about these gorgeous ceramic objects of art - check out my Instagram account for more shots and sharing! 

Lee Choo Neo was the first female doctor in Singapore and a brave champion of women's rights.

In Peranakan Chinese culture, the peacock is often a substitute for the phoenix - a symbol of the Chinese empress! And they also look very elegant. The tiles are from probably from Japan but earlier (and more expensive!) ones were from the UK. 

This grave is very mysterious and until this day, no-one knows what the suspended disk means. Some say that it might represent a mirror. Any thoughts? 

A beautifully manicured garden created by caretakers of the cemetery. 

These floor tiles are from the grave of my aunty who passed away in the 1920’s. Some might think it superstitious to photograph her grave, but I hope she doesn't mind and instead enjoys my visits from time to time!  


Interested to learn more? Free tours are run by the Bukit Brown 'Brownies' and more details can be found on the Peatix page and through the Facebook Group Heritage Singapore Bukit Brown.