The Tianhou[1] or Mazu Temple[2] is a temple to the Goddess Mazu, the Chinese Goddess of Sea and Patron Deity of fishermen, sailors and any occupations related to sea/ocean. It is located in Xinwu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
| Xinwu Tianhou Temple | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Entrance | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 天后宮 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 天后宫 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Heavenly Empress Palace | ||||||||
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History edit
The area of Xinwu was settled by Mazu-worshipping Fujianese immigrants during the mid-18th century, the Qianlong Era of the Qing dynasty. The Tianhou Temple was established in 1826[3] (the sixth year of Qing's Daoguang Era), with its location supposedly pointed out by the goddess. Its idol came from the Chaotian Temple in Beigang. The original small mud structure[1] has since been rebuilt or renovated in 1878, 1905, 1957, 1984, and 2002.[2]
The bronze statue of Mazu was erected in 2002. It is 32.7 meters (107 ft) high and 72 tons in weight.[1] It is protected by smaller statues of Mazu's door gods and guardians Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er.[2] It is the 2nd-tallest statue of Mazu on Taiwan and the 3rd-tallest in the world.
See also edit
References edit
Citations edit
- ^ a b c Marker.
- ^ a b c Official site.
- ^ 李容萍 (April 16, 2017). "新屋天后宮媽祖文化祭 鄭文燦向媽祖提3個願望" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Liberty Times. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
Bibliography edit
- "Corporation Tianhou Temple" Historical Marker, Xinwu: Taoyuan County Government, 2006. (in Chinese) & (in English)
External links edit
- Official site, Xinwu: Sinwu Mazu Temple, 2013.
- Photographs of the statue and temple in 2010 by Josh Fahler
24°58′32″N 121°01′35″E / 24.975648°N 121.026444°E
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