Astronomical Palace Introduction
The Tianwen Palace covers an area of three hectares, making it the largest temple in the Yong'an area, built in the style of Northern temple halls. It is primarily dedicated to the famous general Xu Fu Qiansui (Xu Jiao) of the Tang Dynasty. The temple's origin dates back to the first academic offering of the deities of Xu Fu Qiansui from Xiaqiading, following the imperial decree to establish a king's ritual and patrol on behalf of heaven. In the 48th year of the Republic of China, the lanterns were shared, and construction began in March of the 66th year, which was completed in the 68th year. In the front hall, the main deity Zhendong Tujun General Xu Fu Qiansui is enshrined. At the entrance of the main gate, there is a flag stand raising banners, symbolizing the announcement to the world that this is the residence of the Zhendong Tujun General. Behind this, the general's subordinates are depicted holding a heavenly horse, indicating that they are always prepared for immediate action to address the suffering of the people. The architectural style of the Tianwen Palace adopts a palace-style gable roof (known as a nine-ridge hall during the Song Dynasty), designed and constructed by the renowned temple architect Mr. Hsiao Wan-sheng from central Taiwan. The landscaping in the courtyard is unique, with colonnades on either side featuring dragon decorations from various historical cultural periods, which distinguishes it from other temples and creates a unique architectural characteristic. Every year, the 18th day of the first lunar month is celebrated as the birthday and anniversary of the main deity Xu Fu Qiansui and other deities. Since the 69th year of the Republic of China, the temple has been hosting calligraphy and sketching competitions, centered around the themes of 'spirit', 'culture', and 'leisure', integrating temple culture and showcasing the local cultural spirit. The series of activities includes calligraphy and sketching competitions, as well as static astronomical and cultural exhibitions displaying the cultural achievements collected by the Tianwen Palace over the years. Additionally, there is a Peace Barrier, and a ritual for casting divination blocks to seek the "scholar's brush" (Wang Ye brush), attracting many young people each year hoping to obtain the divine brush to succeed in various examinations and achieve scholarly fame.
