Zhushan Lianxing Temple Introduction
Zhushan Mazu is said to have arrived in Taiwan from Fujian, China during the Qing Dynasty, crossing the dangerous Heishui River from Meizhou. The journey was perilous, and it is often said that among ten crossings, three would fail. How could the Mazu statue safely reach Taiwan through the tumultuous Heishui River? Early settlers carved the statue into separate pieces for transport and reassembled it upon arrival in Taiwan, creating joint connections during assembly, which made the statue appear as if it had joints, rather than being carved as a single piece as seen today. The belief in Mazu is highly common in Taiwan and has become a focal point of faith for many people, giving rise to unique regional characteristics. Events such as the "Red and White Flower Incident," "Kinsnake Warning," and "Reconciliation Wine" in Zhushan are legendary tales of local resistance during the Japanese occupation. The temple preserves two ancient stone tablets: the "Prohibition Against Extortion of Bamboo Rafts" tablet and the broken "Mazu Offering Tablet," both linked to a dispute over the incense money from 1900. Furthermore, along Yunlin Road above the Mazu Temple, Zhushan still has the last cobbler who adheres to traditional craftsmanship, where quality leather shoes are repaired. The cultural space at the temple entrance serves as a rich source of local folklore. (Why do Japanese people prefer white, while Taiwanese regard red as auspicious? During the Red and White Flower Massacre, why did Japanese people wear red flowers, while Taiwanese wore white?)
