Confucius Temple, Taipei Introduction
The Taipei Confucius Temple began construction in 1927 and is located in the culturally rich Dalongdong Old Street. Under the urban renewal plan promoted by the Taipei City Government, it forms a cultural park with Dalong Elementary School and Baoan Temple, representing a convergence of the temples, school, and shrine. The temple serves multiple significances, including a ceremonial venue, a symbol of Confucianism, and a designated historic site. The architectural style of the Taipei Confucius Temple follows that of the original temple in Qufu, with uninscribed beams, columns, and windows, giving it a simple yet solemn appearance. The layout consists of the Wanjin Palace Wall, the Pan Pond, the Lingxing Gate, the Yi Gate, the Dacheng Hall, and the Chongsheng Shrine. Unlike other temples, all the columns, doors, and windows in the Confucius Temple lack couplets, which is said to signify that no one dares to show off literary talent in front of the revered Confucius. Additionally, due to its folk construction, the temple incorporates regional decorative styles, particularly the unique Jiaozi pottery and paper-cutting decorations of the Minnan region, with Jiaozi pottery being particularly distinctive among Confucius temples in Taiwan. The main hall, Dacheng Hall, houses the tablet of Confucius in the central shrine, with a plaque above it reading "You Teach Without Discrimination" in gold lettering on a black background. The walls on either side enshrine tablets of the Four Assistants (Yanzi, Zengzi, Zisi, and Mencius) and twelve philosophers, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The temple evokes a sense of reverence and beauty, reflecting the righteous spirit of Chinese Confucian culture. The rich Jiaozi pottery waterwheel decorations in the Dacheng Hall are a unique feature among all Confucius temple architecture in Taiwan and are worth admiring for their architectural beauty. Although the temple lacks numerous idols and ritual vessels, it possesses various ceremonial instruments and musical instruments made according to ancient tradition. During the Sacrificial Ceremony on September 28, music and dance performances take place, along with offerings of livestock and wine to honor Confucius, attracting many domestic and international visitors every year to experience the solemn atmosphere of traditional Confucian sacrifices. In recent years, the Confucius Temple has actively revitalized the historic site, establishing exhibition rooms and multimedia presentation facilities to provide a deeper understanding of its beauty and the instruments used in various sacrificial ceremonies. Additionally, it has set up a unique display center for the Batou musical instruments, where visitors can listen to diverse sounds by simply pressing a button on the visuals. This allows them to experience the sounds of Batou at any time. The temple has also implemented a guided tour system in Mandarin, English, Japanese, and Korean to serve international tourists. Furthermore, the Confucius Temple frequently holds innovative activities that blend traditional and modern arts, including the annual Dalongdong Cultural Season series, which enhances understanding of sacrificial culture and invigorates interest in Confucianism, attracting a new wave of visitors to the temple. Moreover, a 4D Virtual Reality Theater has been set up in the Minglun Hall of the temple, utilizing high-tech imaging technology and immersive special effects to narrate the history of the temple and Confucius's life, allowing audiences to comprehend the stories of Confucius and the temple, adding fun while perpetuating the educational significance that the temple represents.
