Changfu Temple

Zushi Temple
Zushi Temple
清水祖師廟
Location
Location	Sanxia, New Taipei, Taiwan
Geographic coordinates	24°56′01.6″N 121°22′13.3″E / 24.933778°N 121.370361°E
Architecture
Type	Taoist temple
Completed	1767

The Zushi Temple (Chinese: 清水祖師廟; pinyin: Qīngshuǐ Zǔshī Miào) or (三峽長福巖; Sānxiá Zhǎngfú Yán) is a Taoist temple along Sanxia Old Street in Sanxia District, New Taipei, Taiwan. Qingshui, known locally as Zushi-Gong (Chinese: 袓師公; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chó͘-su-kong), is the principal god worshiped at Zushi Temple.

History

Zushi Temple was first built during the Qing Dynasty in 1767 by Hokkien immigrants from Anxi County, Quanzhou Municipality, Fujian Province in China. It has been reconstructed three times. Its last reconstruction, started in 1947, is best known for being the masterpiece of renowned Taiwanese artist, Li Meishu.

Festivals

Every sixth day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar on Zushi-Gong's birthday, Zushi Temple holds a Pigs of God (神豬) Contest. Farmers compete to raise the fattest pig, which during the competition day, the pig is decorated with ornaments. The fattest pig is then sacrificed to Zushi-Gong. In the past few years, this tradition has been met with disapproval by animal rights activists. While the majority of temples that practice this rite have started using symbolic pigs, Zushi Temple in Sanxia still continues the tradition of using a live pig.

Architecture

Unique among temples, all of the walls and columns of Zushi Temple are sculpted from stone. The details are also carved with a wide variety of styles from ancient to modern, or even western-influenced, due to the western art education of Li Meishu.

Transportation

The temple is accessible south of Yingge Station of Taiwan Railways.

Galleries

Inner Court of Zushi Temple
Inner Court of Zushi Temple
Beam Details on Zushi Temple
Roof Details above entrance
Roof ornamentation
One of the works by Li Meishu
Window Details. The fish design forms a Yin Yang symbol, surrounded by Bagua symbol.
Every column is carved with a different design.
Painting-like carvings on the walls.
Altar in temple
Ceiling in temple
Prayer papers for temple worshippers

External links