Luerhmen Temple Introduction
Luerhmen Prosperous Dream, the Cultural Season Continues the Passion. Early on, Luerhmen referred to a waterway, the main shipping route of Taiwan and Tainan, known as "Heavenly Danger" in ancient times, it was a strategically important area for military conflicts and the export and import hub for salt, sugar, textiles, and goods. Mazu, the goddess of the sea, blesses sailors for safe travels. However, after multiple natural disasters, the Tainan Inner Sea turned into muddy land, leading to the loss of port functionality and the gradual decline of the settlement into a small fishing village, which caused the Mazu Temple to collapse. After the Republic of China was established, Taiwan's economic recovery allowed reconstruction into its current form. The Mazu enshrined in the Luerhmen Mazu Temple is carved from the precious "Xuanzhi wood" from the mainland. This temple has an imposing and majestic appearance, showcasing the beauty of Chinese temple architecture, including the dragon pillars, door gods, dougong brackets, the intricate eaves tile work, glazed pottery, wall carvings, coffered ceilings, corridors, and patios, all of which are worth careful exploration. The Luerhmen Mazu Temple holds a cultural season from the 12th month of the lunar calendar to the following March each year, featuring rich and distinctive content divided into nine main parts: ritual culture, religious beliefs, traditional fishing village customs, rural nostalgia, origins of Tainan, public opinion square, inheritance of traditions, cultural camps, and cultural publications. Combining folk arts, cultural and religious features with natural ecology, these artistic activities are held annually and last for four months. Under the planning and preparation of the temple management committee, there are approximately 70 dynamic and static performance units each year, immersing people in historical and local sentiments, rekindling long-dormant enthusiasm, and enriching the inner lives and spirits of individuals. (This information is referenced from the Luerhmen Mazu Temple website.)
