Xinzhuang Ciyou Temple Introduction
Ciyou Temple is the oldest temple in Xinzhuang, which is said to have been established in the 25th year of the Kangxi era (1686). It was renamed "Ciyou Temple" during renovations in the 9th year of the Yongzheng era (1731). It is commonly referred to as "Xinzhuang Mazu Temple." The temple underwent further renovations during the Qianlong, Jiaqing, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, Guangxu, Japanese colonial period, and after the restoration of Taiwan. In 1985, Ciyou Temple was designated as a third-level historic site in the Taiwan-Fujian region. There are relevant records of this temple in the "Taiwan General History." Initially, it was an unremarkable small temple, but as Xinzhuang developed, it became a center of faith and was rebuilt into a sizable Tianhou Temple. The main hall of Ciyou Temple is dedicated to Mazu, with the left side enshrining the God of Wealth and the right side the Earth God. The rear hall is dedicated to Guanyin, with the left and right sides housing Dharma Master and Zhusheng Niangniang. The Mountain Opening Hall worships the tablets of past masters and resident monks. Mazu is not only the guardian deity of sailors but also a spiritual anchor for the people of Xinzhuang, which creates an inseparable bond between them and Ciyou Temple. The exquisite carvings and intricate sculptures of dragons and phoenixes, story figures, and the dragon sculptures in the front hall showcase the artistic value of this historic site. It also possesses numerous cultural relics, such as plaques from the Qianlong and Jiaqing eras, ancient steles, and wooden couplets, making it rich in historical value and worthy of careful appreciation.
