Zhushan Lianxing Temple Introduction
The Zhusha Mazu is said to have come from Fujian, China, during the Qing Dynasty. When crossing the Black Water Ditch from Meizhou to Taiwan, the journey was both dangerous and tumultuous. There is a saying that "ten crossings result in three returns and one loss." How could the Mazu statue arrive safely in Taiwan through the tumultuous waters of the Black Water Ditch? The early settlers' solution was to carve the statue in separate sections, which were brought to Taiwan and then reassembled. This assembly created joints, making the statue appear as if it had movable connections, rather than being a single carved piece as seen today. The Mazu belief in Taiwan has significant commonality and has become an object of faith for many, especially due to its unique regional significance. The "Red and White Flower Incident," "Jin Snake Warning," and "Reconciliation Wine" in Zhushan are legendary local anti-Japanese historical stories related to Mazu. The temple houses two ancient monument tablets; one is the "Prohibition Against Extorting Bamboo Rafts" tablet, and the other is the "Ma Shi Tablet," which has a broken history of connection related to disputes over incense money. Additionally, on Yunlin Road above the Mazu Temple, Zhushan is home to the remaining traditional shoemaker who still practices traditional techniques, ensuring that good leather shoes can be repaired here. The cultural space at the temple entrance serves as a source for local customs and folklore. (Why do Japanese people love white, while Taiwanese prefer red for happiness? In the Red and White Flower Massacre, why did Japanese people wear red flowers while Taiwanese wore white flowers?)
