Zhushan Lianxing Temple Introduction
According to legend, Matsu arrived in Taiwan from Fujian, China, during the Qing Dynasty. The journey across the black waterway was perilous and tumultuous, with a saying that goes, "Out of ten crossings, three would result in a return." How could the Matsu statue safely reach Taiwan through the rough waters of the black waterway? Early settlers carved the statue in separate segments and assembled it upon arrival in Taiwan. During assembly, connecting joints were formed, making the statue resemble a jointed figure rather than being crafted in a single piece as we see today. Matsu worship holds significant commonality in Taiwan and has become an object of faith for many. Unique to the region are the legendary stories of resistance against Japanese rule, such as the "Red and White Flower Incident," "Jin Snake Warning," and "Reconciliation Wine." The temple preserves two ancient stone tablets: the "Prohibition of Extortion of Bamboo Raft Tablet" and the "Broken Marble Tablet," which are related to historical disputes over incense money from the year 1900. Additionally, on Yunlin Road above the Matsu Temple, the last remaining shoemaker in Zhushan continues to use traditional techniques, repairing quality leather shoes. The cultural space at the temple entrance serves as a source of local oral history. (Why do Japanese people favor white, while Taiwanese people prefer red as a symbol of good fortune? During the Red and White Flower Massacre, why did Japanese wear red flowers while Taiwanese wore white ones?)
