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The Ta Tien Hou (Great Queen of Heaven) Temple was built in 1684 for the worship of Taiwan's most popular deity: Matsu, Goddess of the Sea. Matsu is the patron deity of fishermen, and her birthday on the Z3rd day of the third lunar month (it falls in April or May) is celebrated each year with frenetic explosions of colorful activity. The goddess is usually flanked by two guardians, Eyes that See a Thousand Miles and Ears that Hear on the Wind; these are said to have once been malevolent spirits who were reformed by Matsu's example and now use their powers to help her do good works.
A secondary deity in this temple is the Old Man under the Moon, a sort of matchmaker god worshipped especially by unmarried men and women. They believe that all they need do is pray to the god for a red" matrimonial thread" or apply their rouge before him and they will quickly find a mate.
Location: 18 Yungfu Rd., Lane 227
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Written Sep 17, 2003
This temple, along with the Confucius Temple, is known as one of the oldest and best-preserved temples in Taiwan. Just when it was originally built is not known, but according to legend it was during the Ching dynasty's Yungli reign, in the mid-17th century. During the Ching dynasty, this is where government officials offered sacrifices to the god.
The God of WAR (kuan Ti or Kuan Kung) worshipped here holds a heavy sword and rides a swift horse. His mortal origin was as a general of the late Han dynasty (early 3rd century) who, because of his behavior, became a symbol of uprightness and loyalty to later generations and was finally deified. He is said to have been good at managing finances and to have invented a method of accounting, and so is also worshipped (by businessmen, especially) as the God of Commerce.
The entrance to this temple has a particularly high threshold,and for a reason. In the old days, it is said, women were banned from the temple and the high threshold was designed to keep them out.
Location: 229 Yungfu Rd., Sec. 2
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Written Sep 17, 2003
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This temple, along with the Confucius Temple, is known as one of the oldest and best-preserved temples in Taiwan. Just when it was originally built is not...
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Tainan, the ancient capital of Taiwan, is situated on the southwestern coastal plains of the island and enjoys a warm climate year-round. It is the island's oldest and now fourth largest city, with a...
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