Wusheng Temple Introduction
Located in the Xinzhuang District of New Taipei City, the Zhuangwu Sheng Temple is listed as a cultural asset of New Taipei City. Along with Ciyou Temple and Guangfu Temple, it is known as one of the three major temples in Xinzhuang. Established in the 25th year of the Qianlong reign (1760 AD) by the scholar Hu Zhuoyou from Tingzhou, the temple was built on land donated by him in Xinzhuang, on Rice Market Street. According to Lian Heng's "General History of Taiwan" (1878-1936), "The Xinzhuang Wusheng Temple, built in the 25th year of the Qianlong reign (1760 AD) by the scholar Hu Zhuoyou, honors Guan Yu, the Marquis of Shoutao." This indicates that the establishment of the Xinzhuang Wusheng Temple predates the Hsinchu Guandi Temple, making it the earliest "Guandi Temple" in northern Taiwan, locally referred to as "Guandi Jun Temple." The main gate of the Wusheng Temple is usually closed and only opens on specific dates: from the first to the third day of the first lunar month, from the eleventh to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and from the twentieth to the twenty-fourth day of the sixth lunar month. During the Lantern Festival each year, the temple hosts the "Cannon Platform" activity in front of the temple to showcase the prosperity of the people. The most significant difference in the architecture of Wusheng Temple compared to other temples is that its main gate does not feature door gods, as Guan Sheng Dijun himself is a highly skilled warrior and doesn't require protection. However, the gate is adorned with 108 door nails, which originally served to cover the heads of the nails on the door panels, but are now mainly decorative. The number 108 is a multiple of nine, which is the largest auspicious number, and this decorative style follows the ancient method of door panel design.
