Yungang Temple Introduction
Yong'an Temple faces northwest from the southeast, covering an area of over 300 ping (a unit of area in Taiwan), and features a three-entrance layout with five gates. The front hall is adorned with twin dragons facing the heavens, with divine generals riding a green dragon. The middle eaves are decorated with a colorful phoenix spreading its wings, depicting vivid characters; on the sides, two green dragons are leaping with great spirit. The ridge decorations include dragons and phoenixes, while single dragon pillars support the vermilion terrace, interspersed with figurines of people and birds. The octagonal column bases and the vividly depicted "Ten Thousand Immortals Array" wall add to the dynamic atmosphere. In the main hall, the goddess Ma Zu (Heavenly Holy Mother) is worshipped, while the rear hall is dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the second floor honors Buddhist and Taoist deities. Visitors to Yong'an Temple can not only admire the rich paper cutting artworks but also discover some interesting details. For instance, upon entering the temple, a plaque reading "Eternal Protection and Peace" hangs above the flower cover in the worship hall, symbolizing the spirit of Yong'an. Additionally, the couplets at the entrance hold a hidden fun point; the content of the couplets reads: "Saintly virtue matches the heavens, with deep oceanic grace enduring long, and the tranquility of the Yangtze River celebrating peace." Unlike common couplets that use the temple name as an acrostic, the first characters of both lines do not spell out "Yong'an", but rather "Holy Mother", with the temple name cleverly embedded in the second-to-last character. This simple couplet subtly highlights the deity being worshipped and the temple's location.
