San San Guo Wang Temple Introduction
The Sanshan Guowang Temple, located in Jiou Rhu Township, Jiou Ming Village, was established in 1651 (the 5th year of the Ming Yongli reign), and it has a history of over three hundred years. It is a rare Hakka ancient temple that has not undergone significant renovation or expansion, maintaining its traditional architectural layout, and it has been designated as a Level 3 historical monument. "Sanshan" originally refers to the three famous mountains in Guangdong, China—Dushan, Mingshan, and Jinshan. The surrounding residents, who revered the mountain gods, established the local faith of "Sanshan Guowang." According to local literature, the earliest legends of the Sanshan gods appeared during the Sui dynasty. These three mountain gods claimed to be brothers who, receiving the mandate from heaven, each guarded Dushan, Mingshan, and Jinshan; it is also said that during the Song dynasty, they assisted in opening new territories, leading to successful conquests, and were thus conferred the title of "Three Kings." Although these legendary stories are difficult to verify, they have deeply consolidated the religious beliefs of the local Hakka residents, allowing the faith to take root throughout the area. In terms of appearance, the roof of the Jiou Rhu Sanshan Guowang Temple features dolphin-tail-shaped San Chuan ridges that create a streamlined look from a distance. The architectural layout consists of three halls and two side rooms, decorated mainly with Jiaozhi pottery, wooden beams and columns, and stone columns, with intricate paintings and carvings of flowers, birds, deities, and beasts. The halls are connected by corridors, and there are front and middle temple courtyards. The temple also houses valuable historical artifacts such as the plaques "Hui Guang Nan Hai" and "Wei Zhen Hai Dong," deity altars, incense burners, and divination tubes. The "King and Queen Return Home" event is an annual cultural festival, primarily involving the followers from Linluo Township who go to Jiou Rhu Sanshan Guowang Temple to welcome the King and Queen back home as the opening ceremony. After several days, it is then the turn of the faithful from Jiou Rhu Township to invite the King and Queen back to their place. The climax of the event involves newborn boys of that year carrying incense and lanterns while procession with the King and Queen, praying for local peace and prosperity, making it a warm and integrative religious ceremony.
