Lights Temple - Lovers' Temple Introduction
Zhaoming Temple (also known as Zhaoming Monastery or Lover's Temple) is situated on the hillside in front of the Beitou Military Ship Rock, surrounded by mountains. The environment is serene and the views are expansive, allowing visitors to see the Guandu Plain in the distance. Standing here and gazing out toward the plain, one feels a sense of openness and lightness of heart. The architecture here is quite distinctive, with the main hall resembling a pointed tower topped by a dragon that appears to be in a spiritual pose. The temple's main deity is the "Four-faced Thousand-Hand Guanyin," who is said to bless health, marriage, brightness, and wealth. In the past, because it displayed wax statues of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, the temple is also referred to as the "Lover's Temple." Inside the temple, there is a popular wishing area. Visitors can write their wishes on paper or wooden plaques and then worship the Four-faced Thousand-Hand Guanyin, placing the paper into the wish box next to the statue. Afterward, visitors can proceed to the wishing pond, which contains six bowls that represent wishes for romance, health, wealth, and other desires. To make a wish, simply toss a few coins into the respective bowl and hang the wooden plaque on the nearby wishing pavilion as a testament. It is said to be very effective—those who pray will receive blessings! The wishing pavilion in the temple square bears the saying, "True feelings are unseen by anyone; false feelings are known to heaven," serving as a reminder to all lovers to cherish their emotions and avoid insincere sentiments, hoping that all couples in the world may become perfect partners.
