Tamsui Fuyou Temple Introduction
Fuyou Temple, located on Zhongzheng Road in the Tamsui District of New Taipei City, has an unclear construction history. It is said to have been founded during the Yongzheng period and rebuilt in 1796 (the first year of the Jiaqing era). However, it is certain that Fuyou Temple has over 200 years of history, making it a designated third-class historic site and one of the oldest among the four major temples in Tamsui. The temple primarily worships Mazu, also known as Mazu Temple. Because it did not receive imperial recognition, it retains its original name and is not referred to as the Tianhou Temple. It was once the center of development in old Tamsui Street. One of the couplets in front of the temple reads, "In the vast sea of suffering, who will ascend to Meizhou to reach the shore?", reflecting the hardships faced by ancestors during their maritime journeys and Mazu's important role in protecting the people. Fuyou Temple is rich in history and is filled with legendary stories, such as the plaque that reads "Yitian Zhaoyou" above the main hall, which is said to have been granted by Emperor Guangxu after Mazu displayed divine power to assist in battle during the Sino-French War; this plaque still hangs in the main hall today and is considered one of the temple's treasures. The "Wanggaolou Stele," embedded in the wall of the front hall, records the construction of the Wanggaolou Lighthouse, which guided ships entering the Tamsui River estuary. The surrounding wall reliefs were mostly funded by nearby businesses for reconstruction to honor the gods, creating a blend of ancient and modern artistic installations that embellish the current old street. If you look closely at the stone lions in front of the temple, you will notice that their heads are particularly bright, possibly because these stone lions were originally used as ballast to ensure a stable passage for ships and once protected immigrants crossing the sea. Therefore, people also enjoy touching the lion's head, as it is said to bring safety and peace.
