Liudui Zhongyi Temple Introduction
The Zhongyi Shrine is a memorial dedicated to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their homeland and families among the Hakka ancestors of the Liu Dui region. It stands as a spiritual fortress for the Liu Dui Hakka people. The Liu Dui volunteers played a significant role from the Qing Dynasty's Kangxi period (1721) in quelling the Zhu Yigui incident until the fierce resistance during the Japanese takeover of Taiwan in 1895, spanning 174 years of volunteer militia organization and writing a poignant history filled with heroism. The couplet on the main gate reads: "Loyalty shines like the sun and moon, righteousness strengthens the mountains and rivers," while the couplet on the altar acknowledges: "The heroics of the Hundred Yue people in protecting the nation and its citizens are immortal; the loyalty and righteousness of Liu Dui leave their historic mark." Their heroic spirit resonates deeply, with loyalty and righteousness enduring through the ages. The history of vibrant achievements in Taiwan also represents the "loyalty and bravery" spirit of the Hakka people and serves as a living lesson of local affection. Visitors to Liu Dui should not forget to come and pay their respects at the shrine, expressing gratitude for the patriotic spirit and praying for peace and health. During the Japanese colonial era, the Japanese sought to win over the Liu Dui residents, encouraging them to pledge loyalty to the Japanese Emperor. Initially, they did not prohibit the Liu Dui residents from honoring their ancestors in ritual activities and even dispatched high-ranking officials to attend these ceremonies. However, they could not suppress the rising anti-Japanese sentiment among the Liu Dui people. After their attempts to win the residents over failed, the Japanese military resorted to oppressive measures, closing the Zhongyi Pavilion and ordering the residents to stop ancestral worship, leading to maintenance issues for the pavilion. Under the oppressive rule, the Liu Dui villagers endured long-term persecution by the Japanese, hoping only to protect the Zhongyi Pavilion. Fortunately, after Taiwan's retrocession, thanks to the efforts of local figures in Liu Dui, the Zhongyi Pavilion was finally reconstructed in 1958 and renamed the "Zhongyi Shrine." The shrine not only honors the Hakka righteous people who quelled disturbances at the end of the Kangxi era but also memorializes those who sacrificed their lives during various civil unrest and foreign invasions, including events in the 10th year of the Yongzheng reign, the 51st year of the Qianlong reign, the 2nd year of the Daoguang reign, and the 21st year of the Guangxu reign, all collectively worshiped here. For the Hakka residents of Liu Dui, the Zhongyi Shrine is not merely a place of worship; it serves as a sacred hall for oath-taking before expeditions and has become a spiritual fortress for the Hakka Liu Dui community. Every year, the Zhongyi Shrine holds major festivals in spring and autumn and concurrently organizes Liu Dui sports events, hoping to perpetuate the spirit of "protecting the homeland and the people, balancing loyalty and righteousness" among the Hakka Liu Dui forever.
