Chenghuang Temple of Hsinchu

The Chenghuang Temple of Hsinchu is a temple located in Hsinchu, Taiwan and was built during the time of the Kingdom of Tungning. It is dedicated to Chenghuang, or City God, who is believed by some to record bad deeds. Common prayers made within the temple are for better lives and to avoid flood and drought.[1]

Chenghuang Temple of Hsinchu

History
Golden Gate Protection board

The Chenghuang Temple of Hsinchu was built during the Qing dynasty, during the time of the Kingdom of Tungning. Due to the influence of the Chinese Emperors Hsinchu became a prefecture and as such, the temple also rose in status.[2] In 1891, prior to the first Sino-Japanese War and the subsequent Japanese rule of Taiwan, the Guangxu Emperor held a large prayer meeting in Taiwan and chose the temple as the meeting place. After the ceremony Guangxu presented the temple with a sign board reading "Golden Gate Protection", which signifies that the Chenghuang of Hsinchu protects and gives blessings to the entire country.[3]

Story

In Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the emperor's son took a boat with his wet nurse to fish. Then, they got lost on the sea. The boat kept floating on the sea and stranded on shore of a small island, Taiwan. The wet nurse got sick and died, then the emperor's son was saved by the chief of the island. Once, the emperor's son went to Fragrant Hill of Hsinchu in Taiwan. At that night, the magistrate of Hsinchu dreamed that the City God of Hsinchu told to him that the emperor's son is in the Fragrant Hill now. Then the magistrate found the emperor's son and brought him back home. After this event, the emperor gave the Chenghuang of Hsinchu a praise, “Awesome and magical Duke, City God of Hsinchu”

The Parade

Feature

The temple features six halls, each of which have their own meaning. The names of the halls are “Bell and Drum Tower”, “Main Hall”, “Back Hall”, “Horenji”, “Sanchuan Hall”, and “Protection Room”.[3]

Activities

Twelve activities are held yearly at the temple, which includes the parade of the Chenghuang. During this parade many Taiwanese will leave home in order to join in the festivities and some will set off fireworks and pray to Chenghuang.

References
  1. "臺灣記憶 Taiwan Memory--國家圖書館". memory.ncl.edu.tw. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  2. "臺灣宗教文化地圖". www.taiwangods.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  3. "新竹都城隍廟". www.weiling.org.tw. Retrieved 2019-07-16.

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