Tucheng Zheng Tong Luermun Mazu Temple Introduction
Tainan is the birthplace of Taiwan, and the Zhengtong Luermen Mazu Temple was established in the 16th century to worship the Mazu of Luermen. It is the only Mazu temple in Taiwan that enshrines the golden statue of Luermen Mazu, which has a history of over 800 years, and it has the largest architectural scale among Mazu temples. Today, the temple is divided into several halls: the Five Kings Hall, Mazu Hall, Buddha Hall, Da Shi Hall, and Tian Gong Hall, designed in a northern architectural style imitating the palace of Zijincheng. Every year, a series of New Year Carnival activities are held starting from the first day of the Lunar New Year, along with a Lantern Festival fireworks show, firecrackers, and the Spring Ox Parade, attracting crowds. The activities of Luermen Mazu are not limited to this; on the 23rd day of the third month of the lunar calendar, a rice donation for the poor is held in celebration of Mazu's birthday, along with free tastings of barramundi dishes. Additionally, a triennial ceremony known as Tucheng Xiangjiao occurs in the years of Chou, Chen, Wei, and Xu. The temple also features a Fude Qian, a cultural relic museum, a cultural and creative building, and a visitor center, all of which focus on culture, tourism, cuisine, leisure, and charity, making Zhengtong Luermen Mazu Temple a premier tourist temple in the Tainan region. An overview of the history of Luermen Tianhou Temple: In 1661 (the 15th year of the reign of the Yongli Emperor of the Ming dynasty), Mazu of Luermen manifested to help the tide rise, enabling Zheng Chenggong's army to enter Taiwan and subdue the Dutch forces. In 1662, the Dutch surrendered, and Zheng Wang reconstructed the temple to express gratitude, adding the enshrinement of both civil and military guardian deities alongside Mazu. Luermen gradually became Taiwan's portal and a significant military and commercial stronghold, further elevating the status and divine power of Mazu, who frequently exhibited miraculous feats. In 1831 (the 11th year of the Daoguang Emperor), the Shengmu Temple was destroyed by flooding from the Zengwen River, and the deities were temporarily relocated to Sanjiao Hai'an Temple. In 1918 (the 7th year of the Republic of China), the second construction of the Shengmu Temple was completed, and the over seventy deities that had been temporarily worshiped at Hai'an Temple were returned. In 1913 (the 2nd year of the Taisho era), a boat from Quanzhou's Fumei Palace, transporting the deity Qiansui Wang, sought refuge from the dangerous Taiwan Strait and docked along the coast of Tucheng, with Mazu's divine indication inviting her to bless the people, leading to the local community constructing a palace for worship. In 1916 (the 5th year of the Taisho era), the deities, temporarily enshrined at Sanjiao Zhen Port Hai'an Temple due to flooding, were welcomed back. In 1918 (the 7th year of the Taisho era), the second temple was completed and named Bao'an Palace, until it was renamed Luermen Shengmu Temple in 1960. In 1981, after multiple repairs and reconstructions, the third temple was finally completed under the protection of Mazu's divine power.
