Zhushan Lianxing Temple Introduction
Zhushan Mazu is said to have come from Fujian, China during the Qing Dynasty. The journey to Taiwan from Meizhou across the Black Water Ditch was both dangerous and tumultuous, as the saying goes, "Ten crossings, three turnbacks, one lost." How could the Mazu statue safely arrive in Taiwan amidst the strong winds and waves of the Black Water Ditch? Early settlers would carve the statue in sections and assemble it into a whole after arriving in Taiwan, creating joints that make the statue appear like a combination with joints, rather than being carved as one solid piece today. Mazu worship has great commonality in Taiwan and has become an object of faith for many, particularly due to the region’s uniqueness. Events like the "Red and White Flower Incident," "Jinshe Warning," and "Reconciliation Wine" in Zhushan are legendary historical stories of local resistance against the Japanese. The temple preserves two ancient tablets, the prohibition against extortion of bamboo raft memorial tablets, and the broken historical record of the main hall, both related to disputes over incense money from the past. Additionally, on Yunlin Road above the Mazu Temple, the only remaining cobbler in Zhushan still practices traditional methods, repairing quality leather shoes. The cultural space at the temple entrance serves as a source of local folklore. (Why do Japanese people favor white, while Taiwanese people prefer red for auspiciousness? In the Red and White Flower Massacre, why did Japanese people tie red flowers on their chests, while Taiwanese people tied white flowers?)
