Tucheng Zengtong Lukang Sacred Mother Temple Introduction
Tainan is the birthplace of Taiwan, and the Zheng Tong Luermen Mazu Temple has its origins dating back to before the 16th century, built in honor of Mazu of Luermen. It is the only temple in Taiwan that enshrines the statue of Luermen Mazu, which has a history of over 800 years, and it is the largest Mazu temple by architectural area. The temple is currently divided into five halls: the Five Kings Hall, the Mazu Hall, the Buddha Hall, the Great Master Hall, and the Heavenly Duke Hall, designed in a palatial style reminiscent of the Zijin City architecture in the north. Each year, a series of New Year Carnival activities is held starting from the first day of the lunar new year, including a Lantern Festival fireworks display, firecrackers, and the Spring Ox parade, attracting a large crowd! Additionally, on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, a celebration of Luermen Mazu’s birthday is held, featuring rice donations for the poor and free tastings of milkfish dishes. Every three years, the Tucheng Xiang Jiao festival is held in the years of the Rat, Dragon, Goat, and Dog. Moreover, the temple features a Fude Money, a cultural relics museum, a cultural and creative museum, and a worshiper center, balancing culture, tourism, cuisine, leisure, and charity, making the Zheng Tong Luermen Mazu Temple one of the top tourist attractions in the Tainan area. Overview of the history of Luermen Tianhou Temple: In 1661 (the 15th year of the Yongli era of the Ming dynasty), Luermen Mazu manifested to assist the rising tide, facilitating Zheng Chenggong’s army to enter Taiwan and defeat the Dutch forces. In 1662, with the surrender of the Dutch, Zheng Chenggong rebuilt the temple to express gratitude to Luermen Mazu and added the martial and civil deities accompanying his fleet. Luermen Island gradually became the gateway to Taiwan, emerging as a military and commercial stronghold, while the status of Luermen Mazu rose significantly, with many miraculous events attributed to her. In 1831 (the 11th year of the Daoguang era), a flood from the Zengwen River destroyed the temple, leading to the temporary enshrinement of Luermen Mazu and other deities at the Haian Temple in Sanjiao. In 1918 (the 7th year of the Republic of China), the second construction of the temple was completed, and over seventy deities that had been temporarily housed at Haian Temple were welcomed back for worship. In 1913 (the 2nd year of the Taisho era), the Fu Mei Temple in Quanzhou sent a ship carrying the deities to the dangerous Taiwan Strait, stopping along the Tucheng coast. Following a divine sign from Mazu, the local people welcomed the deities back and built a palace for worship. In 1916 (the 5th year of the Taisho era), over seventy deities, including Luermen Mazu, were brought back from temporary enshrinement at Sanjiao Town Port Haian Temple due to the flooding at the old temple. In 1918 (the 7th year of the Taisho era), the second temple was completed and named Bao’an Palace, which was renamed Luermen Holy Mother Temple in 1960. In 1981, after several reconstructions and repairs, and under the protection of Mazu’s divine power, the third temple was finally completed.
