Zhonggang Ciyu Temple Introduction
Ciyu Temple is dedicated to Mazu, commonly known as Zhonggang Mazu, and is regarded as one of the "Three Mazu Temples of Taiwan" alongside Beigang Chaotian Temple and Donggang Donglong Temple. Every year, on the 15th day of the first lunar month, visitors enjoy lantern displays, and the temple holds festivities on March 23rd and September 9th, as well as the Zhongyuan Pudu rituals, bringing a rare liveliness to Zhonggang. The temple's decoration mainly consists of stone carvings, including the main entrance and external eaves, corridors, and columns. A pair of green stone lions at the center door of the front hall is the earliest known stone sculpture of the temple, while the coiled dragon stone pillars in the front hall are the only remaining pair of early dragon pillars in Ciyu Temple, characterized by their slender carvings. In addition to the "Zha Handan" event during the Lantern Festival, another unique folk activity is the "Washing the Port and Celebrating the River." "Washing the Port and Celebrating the River" is the only summer Mazu pilgrimage in Taiwan. On the Dragon Boat Festival, Mazu leads four other deities procession around Zhonggang and performs various rituals at the estuary. After the ceremony, everyone must silently leave with their backs turned to the estuary, while the deities face the estuary in retreat, symbolizing the purification of the land and the protection of public safety. "Zha Handan," on the other hand, is an event held on the evening of the Lantern Festival, where a palanquin carrying a deity, accompanied by four bearers dressed in specific attire, is escorted to various checkpoints to receive firecracker greetings from worshippers. Why is it called Zhonggang? Zhonggang is located in the northern part of Taiwan and is the earliest-built port city in Zhunan Township. In the past, mainlanders came to Taiwan by boat and, not being well-acquainted with Taiwan's geography, referred to it as Zhonggang, positioning it between Lukang and Keelung. The "Zha Handan" event still exists in Taitung and Zhunan, with the one in Zhunan featuring four shirtless bearers lifting the idol of Xuantan Yuanshuai to receive the blessings of firecrackers, while in Taitung, the bearer with the idol of Xuantan Ye participates in the event. The Green Stone Lions were donated by devotees in the 48th year of the Qianlong reign. The material is finely crafted, feels cool in summer, and has a unique moist sensation, making it a one-of-a-kind stone lion artwork in Taiwan. The antique sandalwood incense burner is unique in Ciyu Temple, as most temple incense burners are made of metal, porcelain, or stone. This sandalwood incense burner possesses significant artistic value. The Jingjing Spring is said to have been excavated by Liu Mingchuan, the governor of Taiwan, when he stationed his troops at Ciyu Temple. "The spring produces sweet, clear water, and is built in a hexagonal shape of stones, named Jingjing Spring." Although it has since been replaced by tap water, it still represents the struggles of early settlers.
