Eastern Dragon Horse Introduction
The large bell bowls and wooden fish stone towers located on the east and west sides of the Ji Bei Island harbor are not ordinary buildings; they serve as the guardians of Ji Bei, commonly referred to as "East Bell West Drum." The stone guardians of Penghu are similar to the Wind Lion Gods of Kinmen, representing unique beliefs developed by the island's residents. Surrounded by the sea, with northeast monsoons lasting up to half a year in winter and poor soil conditions hindering agriculture, the indigenous people, facing these challenging circumstances along with early epidemics, believed that malevolent spirits were the cause of their troubles. In seeking peace, the culture of stone guardians in Penghu was born. Stone guardians take the form of towers, stone tablets, or talismans, and are typically placed around villages, by the coast, on hillsides, and at crossroads, reflecting not only the beliefs of the people of Penghu but also the local cultural characteristics. According to legend, the two stone guardians at the Ji Bei Island harbor were instructed in a dream by the bodhisattva Guanyin to be built by the village elders to protect the residents and promote local prosperity. Thus, on the eastern side of the harbor, a yellow stone tower known as "Dragon Horse" was constructed, while a red wooden fish stone tower was built on the western side. In addition, the rocks beside the stone towers feature inscriptions that read "The Eastern Dragon Horse Strengthens the Mountains and Rivers" and "The Western Border Sea Clouds Fly With the Sun and Moon," highlighting the spirit of Ji Bei. The two stone guardians correspond to the "Evening Drum" and "Morning Bell" of the Guanyin Temple on the island, establishing them as significant cultural assets of Ji Bei.
