Taipei Confucius Temple Introduction
The Taipei Confucius Temple was established in 1927 and is located in the culturally vibrant area of Dalongdong Old Street. Under the urban renewal promoted by the Taipei City Government, it forms part of the Dalongdong Cultural Park alongside Dalong Elementary School and Bao'an Temple, representing the "temple, school, and palace" concept. The temple serves multiple purposes as a ceremonial site, 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 uncarved beams, columns, and windows, exuding simplicity and solemnity. Its layout includes the Wan Ren Palace Wall, the Pan Pool, the Lingxing Gate, the Yi Gate, the Dacheng Hall, and the Chongsheng Shrine. Notably, all pillars, doors, and windows in the temple lack couplets, which is said to signify that no one dares to show off their literary skills in front of the esteemed sage Confucius. Additionally, due to grassroots construction, the temple incorporates regional decorative styles, particularly the unique southern Fujian-style terracotta and paper-cut decorations, with the terracotta being a distinctive feature among Confucius temples in Taiwan. The main hall, Dacheng Hall, has a central altar enshrining the tablet of Confucius, with a sign hung above reading "You Teach Without Discrimination" in gold letters on a black background. The left and right walls enshrine tablets of four supporting sages (Yanzi, Zengzi, Zisi, and Mencius) and twelve philosophers, permeating an atmosphere of solemnity and seriousness. The ambiance of the temple imparts a sense of respect and reverence, embodying the righteous spirit of Chinese Confucian culture. Additionally, the rich terracotta waterwheel decorations in Dacheng Hall are a unique characteristic of Confucius temples in Taiwan, worthy of appreciation for their architectural beauty. Although the temple does not feature numerous deities and sacrificial implements, it possesses many ritual vessels and musical instruments made according to ancient customs. During the annual Sacrificial Ceremony on September 28, music and dance performances take place, along with the presentation of offerings such as animals and wine to express reverence for Confucius, attracting many domestic and international visitors who wish to experience the solemn atmosphere of the traditional Confucian sacrificial ceremony. In recent years, the Confucius Temple has actively revitalized the historic site, establishing exhibition rooms for cultural artifacts and multimedia displays to provide insight into the temple's beauty and the ritual vessels and instruments used in sacrificial ceremonies. A unique display center for the eight ceremonial musical instruments was also created, allowing visitors to listen to the diverse sounds of these instruments with a simple press on an illustrated guide, with some producing deep tones and others bright and high-pitched. Furthermore, the temple features a multilingual audio guide system available in Mandarin, English, Japanese, and Korean to serve international visitors. Moreover, the temple frequently organizes innovative activities that blend traditional and modern art. The yearly Dalongdong Cultural Festival series allows visitors to experience sacrificial culture and enhance their understanding of Confucianism, bringing a new wave of visitors to the temple. Additionally, a 4D virtual reality theater is set up in the Minglun Hall, employing high-tech imaging techniques to depict the historical evolution of the temple and the life of Confucius, providing an immersive experience that enriches the audience's understanding of the stories behind Confucius and the temple, while simultaneously adding to the enjoyment and continuing the educational significance represented by the temple.
