Chiayi Xibei Liuxing Temple Celebrates 200th Anniversary with Consecration of General Wang Delu's Statue
Chiayi Xibei Liuxing Temple, believed to be founded by Qing Dynasty general Wang Delu, celebrated its 200th anniversary with the consecration and enshrinement of a new statue of General Wang Delu on Mazu's birthday. Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang attended, highlighting Wang Delu's historical significance and his deep connection to the temple.
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Chih-ming, Chiayi County, 9th) Xibei Liuxing Temple in Chiayi County, believed to have been founded by the famous Qing Dynasty general Wang Delu, is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Last year, the temple specifically invited clay sculptors to create a statue of Wang Delu, and held a consecration ceremony today on Mazu's birthday, enshrining it for public worship.
Xibei Liuxing Temple held the "Delu Miaozai Zhengdao Fangxing" General Wang Delu Statue Consecration Ceremony at 10 AM today. The ceremony followed ancient rites, with a master invited to pray and perform the consecration. Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang and various dignitaries from Xingang Township attended.
Magistrate Weng, in an interview with the media, stated that Xibei Liuxing Temple has a close relationship with Wang Delu. Legend has it that the "Black-faced Third Mazu" enshrined in Liuxing Temple was originally intended for Wang Delu to worship at home. However, as they passed by the Puzi River, the Black-faced Third Mazu decreed to settle there, leading to the construction of Liuxing Temple for worship. Therefore, Xibei Liuxing Temple, with a grateful and unforgetting heart, sculpted and enshrined a statue of Wang Delu to receive incense offerings and protect the villagers.
Jiang Xiaopeng, chairman of Liuxing Temple, said that on September 30, 2023, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Liuxing Bridge across the Puzi River in front of the temple. During the ceremony, Mazu instructed that the golden sand used for the groundbreaking must be properly preserved. After consulting through divination, it was revealed that the sand was to be used for a clay statue of Wang Delu, to be mixed into the clay, for people to worship and to highlight his spirit of loyalty and protecting the people. Thus, the sculptors Zhang Ruiji and Zhang Haowei (father and son) were commissioned to create the clay statue.
Zhang Ruiji and Zhang Haowei explained that the statue of Wang Delu was created using the traditional clay sculpting "Kaijin" technique. The eyes of the statue are made of glass, and its appearance was modeled after portraits of Wang Delu provided by his descendants, while the clothing was replicated from Wang Delu's official uniform.
The Chiayi County Cultural and Tourism Bureau pointed out that Wang Delu is a legendary figure in Taiwanese history, the highest-ranking Taiwanese official during the Qing Dynasty, holding a first-rank position. He had an audience with Emperor Jiaqing four times and was highly appreciated by him, having a profound impact on the coastal areas of Chiayi. Important ancient temples in Chiayi such as Xingang Fengtian Temple, Xibei Liuxing Temple, and Puzi Peitian Temple all have historical origins related to Wang Delu. Folk legends also recount that when Emperor Jiaqing toured Taiwan, the highly skilled Wang Delu was naturally the unparalleled choice to escort him.
Wang Delu passed away in the 21st year of Daoguang (1841 AD) and was buried on agricultural land northeast of Shuanghan Village, Liujiao Township, Chiayi County. His tomb covers an area of 1.29 hectares, with a tomb mound 2.5 meters high. On both sides of the tombstone, short stone walls and columns extend, topped with stone dragons, phoenixes, lions, and elephants. In front of the tomb, there are two rows of stone figures and beasts, including civil officials, military generals, saddled horses, reclining sheep, and stone tigers, which is a national historic site. (Editor: Chen Ren-hua) 1150509
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(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Chih-ming, Chiayi County, 9th) Xibei Liuxing Temple in Chiayi County, believed to have been founded by the famous Qing Dynasty general Wang Delu, is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Last year, the temple specifically invited clay sculptors to create a statue of Wang Delu, and held a consecration ceremony today on Mazu's birthday, enshrining it for public worship.
Xibei Liuxing Temple held the "Delu Miaozai Zhengdao Fangxing" General Wang Delu Statue Consecration Ceremony at 10 AM today. The ceremony followed ancient rites, with a master invited to pray and perform the consecration. Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang and various dignitaries from Xingang Township attended.
Magistrate Weng, in an interview with the media, stated that Xibei Liuxing Temple has a close relationship with Wang Delu. Legend has it that the "Black-faced Third Mazu" enshrined in Liuxing Temple was originally intended for Wang Delu to worship at home. However, as they passed by the Puzi River, the Black-faced Third Mazu decreed to settle there, leading to the construction of Liuxing Temple for worship. Therefore, Xibei Liuxing Temple, with a grateful and unforgetting heart, sculpted and enshrined a statue of Wang Delu to receive incense offerings and protect the villagers.
Jiang Xiaopeng, chairman of Liuxing Temple, said that on September 30, 2023, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Liuxing Bridge across the Puzi River in front of the temple. During the ceremony, Mazu instructed that the golden sand used for the groundbreaking must be properly preserved. After consulting through divination, it was revealed that the sand was to be used for a clay statue of Wang Delu, to be mixed into the clay, for people to worship and to highlight his spirit of loyalty and protecting the people. Thus, the sculptors Zhang Ruiji and Zhang Haowei (father and son) were commissioned to create the clay statue.
Zhang Ruiji and Zhang Haowei explained that the statue of Wang Delu was created using the traditional clay sculpting "Kaijin" technique. The eyes of the statue are made of glass, and its appearance was modeled after portraits of Wang Delu provided by his descendants, while the clothing was replicated from Wang Delu's official uniform.
The Chiayi County Cultural and Tourism Bureau pointed out that Wang Delu is a legendary figure in Taiwanese history, the highest-ranking Taiwanese official during the Qing Dynasty, holding a first-rank position. He had an audience with Emperor Jiaqing four times and was highly appreciated by him, having a profound impact on the coastal areas of Chiayi. Important ancient temples in Chiayi such as Xingang Fengtian Temple, Xibei Liuxing Temple, and Puzi Peitian Temple all have historical origins related to Wang Delu. Folk legends also recount that when Emperor Jiaqing toured Taiwan, the highly skilled Wang Delu was naturally the unparalleled choice to escort him.
Wang Delu passed away in the 21st year of Daoguang (1841 AD) and was buried on agricultural land northeast of Shuanghan Village, Liujiao Township, Chiayi County. His tomb covers an area of 1.29 hectares, with a tomb mound 2.5 meters high. On both sides of the tombstone, short stone walls and columns extend, topped with stone dragons, phoenixes, lions, and elephants. In front of the tomb, there are two rows of stone figures and beasts, including civil officials, military generals, saddled horses, reclining sheep, and stone tigers, which is a national historic site. (Editor: Chen Ren-hua) 1150509
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news immediately.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.
Keywords: