Wusheng Temple Introduction
Located in the Zhuang District of New Taipei City, the Zhuang Wusheng Temple is recognized as a cultural asset of New Taipei City. It is one of the three major temples in Xinzhuang along with the Ciyou Temple and the Guangfu Temple. It was established in the 25th year of the Qianlong reign (1760 AD) when scholar Hu Zhuoyou from Tingzhou donated the land for the temple on Xinzhuang Rice Market Street. According to Lianheng's "General History of Taiwan": "The Zhuang Wusheng Temple was founded in the 25th year of the Qianlong reign (1760 AD) by scholar Hu Zhuoyou in the Xinzhuang area of Xinchang Fort, dedicated to the deity Guan Yu of Hanshou Pavilion." This indicates that the Zhuang Wusheng Temple was built earlier than the Hsinchu Guandi Temple, making it the earliest "Guandi Temple" in the northern region, locally known as "Guandi Jun Temple." The main entrance of the Wusheng Temple is generally closed and only opens during specific dates: from the first to the third day of the Lunar New Year, the eleventh to the fifteenth day of the first month, and from the twentieth to the twenty-fourth of the sixth month. On and around the Lantern Festival each year, the temple holds an event called "Throwing Firecrackers" to demonstrate the well-being of the people. The main architectural difference of the Wusheng Temple compared to other temples is that it does not have door gods painted on its main entrance. This is because the Holy Emperor Guan himself is a skilled warrior, so there is no need for guardian deities; however, the main door is adorned with 108 door nails, which were originally meant to cover the heads of the nails on the door panel but are now mostly decorative. The number 108 is a multiple of nine, which is considered the highest auspicious number, and this design follows the ancient practice of door panels.
