Baoshidaitian Temple Introduction
Bao-Xi Dai-Tian Temple was established during the Zheng period (1662) and is mainly dedicated to the Three Lords (Zhu Fu Qian Sui, Chi Fu Qian Sui, Li Fu Qian Sui), also known as "Three Elders". The temple was originally called "Da Ren Temple" and was renamed "Dai-Tian Temple" after the war. Due to its early establishment, it, along with Nankan Dai-Tian Temple and Jiali Jin-Tang Temple, is referred to as one of the "Three Great Ancient Dai-Tian Temples of Nanying." Furthermore, geographically, it is grouped with Guiren Ren-Shou Palace and Guan Miao Mountain West Palace as the "Three Great Temples Outside the East Gate of Tainan City." The Wang-Jiao and procession activities of the three temples have recently become an important national folk event known as the "Nanguan Line Three Great Temple Wang-Jiao and You-She," highlighting the friendships among the temples along the route. The Bao-Xi Dai-Tian Temple Wang-Jiao and procession are held approximately every twelve years with uncertain dates, preserving the complete Wang-Jiao rituals, including setting up the vessel factory, inviting the ship (note), fetching water, consecration of the Wang ship, erecting the lanterns, launching the Wang ship, as well as the fire offering, the appointment of officials, inviting the king, going up the pavilion for offerings, sending blessings, procession, sending the king home, and thanking the lantern poles, witnessing the pioneering history of the Nanguan Line. Note: (Ship Invitation) is an ancient character combining form, pronounced the same as "Shen," referring to the longitudinal timber of the ship's bottom, specifically the keel of the Wang ship.
