Taipei Confucius Temple Introduction
The Taipei Confucius Temple was constructed in 1927, located in the culturally rich Dalongdong Old Street. Under the urban renewal initiatives promoted by the Taipei City Government, it forms part of the Dalongdong Cultural Park together with Dalong Elementary School and Bao'an Temple, embodying multiple significances as a ceremonial site, a symbol of Confucianism, and a designated historic site. The architecture of the Taipei Confucius Temple follows the design of the original temple in Qufu, with uncarved beams, pillars, and windows that exude a simple yet solemn atmosphere. Its layout includes the Wanjun Palace Wall, the Panchi Pool, the Lingxing Gate, the Yimen, the Dacheng Hall, and the Chongsheng Shrine. Additionally, unlike other temples, all the pillars, doors, and windows in the Confucius Temple lack couplets, allegedly indicating that no one dares to show off their literary skills in front of the sage, Confucius. As it was built by citizens, local decorative styles, such as the unique Jiaozhi pottery and paper-cutting decoration typical of the Minnan region, were incorporated; notably, Jiaozhi pottery decoration stands out as a unique feature in Taiwanese Confucius temple architecture. The main hall, Dacheng Hall, enshrines the tablet of the Most Holy Sage, Confucius, in the center, with a black background golden-letter plaque reading "You Teach Without Discrimination" hanging above. The left and right walls hold tablets for the Four Companions (Zhongsheng Yan Hui, Zongsheng Zengzi, Shusheng Zisi, and Yasheng Mencius) and twelve philosophers, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere. The ambiance of the Confucius Temple embodies a beauty of reverence, reflecting the upright spirit of Chinese Confucian culture. Furthermore, the rich Jiaozhi pottery decorations around the water wheel in Dacheng Hall render a distinctive characteristic among all Confucius temples in Taiwan, worthy of careful appreciation. Although the temple does not feature many deities and offerings, it possesses numerous ritual vessels and instruments made in accordance with ancient traditions. During the annual ceremony held on September 28, music and dance performances are presented along with offerings of animals and wine to express respect for Confucius, attracting many visitors from home and abroad to experience the solemn atmosphere of traditional Chinese Confucian rituals. In recent years, the temple has actively revitalized the historic site, establishing exhibition rooms and multimedia display areas that help visitors understand the beauty of the temple and the various ritual vessels and instruments used in ceremony. A unique display center for the Bayin musical instruments has also been set up, allowing visitors to listen to the diverse sounds of these instruments with a simple press on an image, where some sounds are deep while others are crisp and high-pitched, enabling visitors to enjoy the sounds of Bayin even during regular visits. Moreover, the temple has established the only Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean guided tour system among all Confucius temples in Taiwan to serve international visitors. Additionally, the temple frequently organizes innovative activities combining traditional and modern art. The annual Dalongdong Cultural Season series of events allows participants to experience ritual culture and deepen their understanding of Confucianism, attracting a new wave of visitors to the Confucius Temple. Furthermore, a 4D virtual reality theater has been set up in the Minglun Hall, presenting the historical development of the Confucius Temple and the life of Confucius through high-tech imaging techniques and immersive special effects, helping the audience understand the stories of Confucius and the temple, thus adding fun while preserving the educational significance that the temple represents.
