Taichung Confucian Temple Introduction
The current Confucius Temple mainly promotes Confucianism, but it also accommodates other doctrines and honors past sages. At the Taichung Confucius Temple, visitors can learn about the origins of the temple, its architectural complex, the grand ceremony of Confucius, the Great Achievement music, artifacts from the temple, historical figures of Confucius, the Chapter of Great Unity from the Book of Rites, and the Eight-Dance performance. The temple is also an ideal venue for large-scale cultural events, filming, or workshops. The architectural style is based on classic texts, yet careful consideration was given to the design. In addition to referencing the Qufu County Chronicle and various local documents, scholars and experts' opinions were widely solicited. To distinguish it from the adjacent Martyrs' Shrine (which features Qing dynasty palace-style architecture and painting), a Song dynasty palace-style architecture was ultimately decided upon for its solidity, grandeur, simplicity, and magnificence; its layout was scaled down based on the configuration of the Qufu Confucius Temple. The total area of the temple grounds is 23,653.20 square meters, with the buildings covering 2,363.88 square meters. As a classical building, it is one of the few examples of Song-style architecture in Taiwan, characterized by complex and diverse structures and intricate decorations. The construction involved meticulous processes, such as pouring concrete, assembling formwork, and arranging rebar, with each detail precisely calibrated, and exterior embellishments requiring fine craftsmanship. The paintings within each hall also adopt the Song style, primarily featuring rolling floral patterns, using variations in color to depict shapes. The construction is notably delicate and intricate, making it a rare architectural model in Taiwan worthy of public study and appreciation. The overall architectural complex of the Confucius Temple includes the following elements: the archway (two gates representing the passage of time and virtue), a screen wall, the Lingxing Gate, the front courtyard of the Pan Pool, the Guande Gate, the Yucui Gate, the Liao Pavilion, the tomb, the Dacheng Gate, the Dacheng Hall, the eastern and western wings, and the Chongsheng Shrine, making it one of the most complete Confucius Temples in Taiwan. In addition to imitating Qufu's floor plan, it also incorporates architectural vocabulary and elements from Qufu, such as the Guande Gate and Yucui Gate, as opposed to the Minan-style ceremonial gate and righteousness road. While being a newly constructed building made of reinforced concrete, the Confucius Temple's retro spirit and overall image express the pioneering spirit of new architecture in classical Chinese style.
