Songshan Ciyou Temple Introduction
Ciyou Temple was built in 1753, with a history of over two hundred years, and it primarily venerates the Black-faced Mazu. According to legend, after Mazu attained immortality, she often assisted ships in distress at sea, making her a widely revered deity in Taiwan. The temple features a six-story square structure, with the main hall, San Chuan Hall, being quite magnificent. The ridge of the roof is adorned with twin dragons bringing blessings, wealth, and longevity, symbolizing protection. Inside the San Chuan Hall, the stone lions, dated back to 1803, were once abandoned during renovations but were later rediscovered and placed in front of the hall. The depiction of "male lion with an open mouth and female lion with a closed mouth" is quite rare in Taiwan, making it a treasured guardian of the temple. In addition to the stone sculptures, the wooden carvings here are vibrantly colored, with lifelike representations of flowers, animals, and figures, imparting a sense of grandeur to the temple. Ciyou Temple has always been a spiritual refuge for the residents of the Thirteen Streets community in Xikou. Every year on March 23, the birthday of the Heavenly Mother, the Thirteen Streets community collaborates with Ciyou Temple to set up three routes—East, South, and North—where various shops and homes prepare offerings of animals, fresh flowers, and vegetarian fruits to welcome Mazu on her ceremonial procession, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the Songshan District. In recent years, Ciyou Temple remains a focal point of the local community, not to mention the nearby Raohe Street Night Market, ensuring a vibrant scene.
