Taichung Martyrs' Shrine Introduction
The Taichung Martyrs' Shrine was originally the second-generation Taichung Shrine during the Japanese colonial period. In 1942, it was relocated from Xinfucheng (Taichung Park) to the Xingaotown Water Source Park (now the site of the Taichung Martyrs' Shrine and Confucius Temple) and was upgraded to a National Secondary Shrine. After Taiwan's retrocession in 1945, the Taichung Shrine was directly transformed into the Taichung Martyrs' Shrine. The **Pailou** is a three-bay, four-column, seven-story concrete structure covered with blue glazed tiles, featuring the inscription "Martyrs' Shrine" in the center, flanked by "Cheng Ren" and "Qu Yi," serving as the grand entrance for visitors to the shrine. The **Shanmen** is topped with blue glazed tiles and adorned with mythical creatures on the roof ridges. The beams and rafters are painted in the Qing dynasty style, with a large deep red cypress wooden door in the center, fitted with ninety-eight bronze nails and beast-head door rings. The couplets on either side of the Shanmen read "The majestic spirit pierces through the deities, great achievements and glorious contributions are worshiped for eternity" and "Renunciation of desires and righteousness will last for a thousand years," creating an imposing atmosphere. The **Qian Dian** has a roof covered with yellow glazed tiles and is embellished with mythical beings and creatures. The painted beams and rafters include motifs such as hemp leaves, the霸王拳 (Overlord Fist), and雀替 (squirrel statues). On both sides, there are hexagonal pavilions topped with yellow glazed tiles, adorned with precious ridge finials and beast figures, with the crossbeams painted with powdered colors. The central beam features a design of passionflowers interspersed with interlocking auspicious patterns, while the pavilion interior is painted with cloud motifs, and the rafters are carved with cypress wooden squirrel statues. The **Zheng Dian** is a concrete structure imitating northern Qing dynasty palace architecture, topped with yellow glazed tiles and adorned with mythical creatures on the roof ridges. It features deep red cypress wooden diamond-shaped doors and windows, surrounded by white concrete carved granite pillars, ornamented with dragon-head auspicious vases in the railings. The worship platform is laid with dark red granite, while the interior is adorned with marble flooring and red carpets, with granite slabs lining the walls, creating an atmosphere of elegance and solemnity.
