Xiahai Chenghuang Temple Introduction
Xiahai City God Temple, located on Section 1 of Dihua Street, was built in 1856 (the sixth year of the Xianfeng era) and covers an area of about 46 pings. Although it does not have a grand temple appearance, it enjoys a wide following and abundant incense offerings. The temple is always bustling during the god welcoming festivals, which are significant local events closely tied to the development of Dadaocheng. The main deity worshiped in the temple is the City God of Xiahai, along with the two judges (Civil and Military), Generals Xie and Fan (the Seventh and Eighth Lords), and 38 heroic spirits. The temple also houses the City God’s wife, Eight Bureau Officials, Eight Generals, the Horse Rider, and the God of Marriage, among others. This famous ancient temple has around 200 idols, making it one of the densest temples in Taiwan. In addition to the City God, the most popular attraction for tourists is the worship of the God of Marriage. Each year, over 6,000 couples come to express their gratitude with offerings, and the most sought-after item is the “Husband Shoes” (also known as Happiness Shoes), which are famous as love talismans in Taipei. On average, more than 200 families visit Xiahai City God Temple annually to "ask for shoes." Legend has it that the City God and his wife have a 70-year age difference, leading people to believe that this "celestial couple" can bring happiness to families, thus giving rise to the origin of the "Husband Shoes." There is also a miraculous story associated with the City God Temple. In 1884, during the Sino-French War, when the French forces invaded Taiwan, the people of Taipei sincerely prayed for the protection of the City God of Xiahai. The City God indeed showed great divine power, and ultimately, the French forces were only able to reach Wudu before being defeated and could not occupy Taipei, leading the public to respectfully refer to the City God of Xiahai as Wei Ling Gong.
