臺灣民間信仰知多少?

【OUR TOWN學生團隊成員楊璦菱報導】

文藻外語大學大學社會責任實踐計畫OUR TOWN 社區永續跨域共創平台計畫「文史創新社群」，於8月17日邀請左營在地文史研究學者吳勇練老師蒞臨文藻外語大學公簡廳，為學員帶來「神明知多少?台灣民間信仰眾神解說」精彩講座。為深化學員對傳統廟宇文化的認識，「文史創新社群」亦於9月21日安排走讀踏查活動，帶領學員實地參訪位於左營舊城的慈濟宮、啟明堂及城隍廟。二次活動中，吳勇練老師運用熱情活潑及生動的解說，將內容以深入淺出的方式分享給大家。

On August 17, the “Cultural and Historical Innovation Community” of Wenzao Ursuline University's University Social Responsibility (USR) Program, OUR TOWN, invited renowned local historian and scholar, Mr. Wu Yong-Lian, to deliver a captivating lecture titled “How Much Do You Know About Deities? An Introduction to Taiwan’s Folk Beliefs” at the Gong Jian Hall of Wenzao Ursuline University. To deepen participants' understanding of traditional temple culture, the community also organized an immersive heritage tour on September 21, guiding participants through key historical sites in Zuoying Old City, including Ciji Temple, Qiming Hall, and the Chenghuang Temple. With his engaging and dynamic storytelling, Mr. Wu skillfully conveyed complex concepts in an accessible manner across both events.

文史創新社群此次8月份分享講座將主題聚焦於臺灣民間信仰，深入探討神明的階層與職位，帶領學員認識神明文化的結構。講座中，吳勇練老師從「神」與「仙」的區別談起，「神」通常具有更高的法力，多為天界、皇權或自然崇拜的象徵；「仙」則強調修煉成道，屬於個體修煉的範疇。兩者間最大的不同即為「神」有職位及其被賦予的職務在身。此外，老師也說明民間信仰中的神明多源自於自然崇拜、皇權制度、先聖先賢、小說雜記、祖先亡靈，並進一步介紹其神格分類，呈現出信仰文化的多元樣貌，學員能從中獲得許多啟發。

The August lecture focused on Taiwan's folk beliefs, delving into the hierarchical structure and roles of deities. Mr. Wu began by distinguishing between deities and immortals: while shen represent higher divine authority and are often associated with celestial, imperial, or natural worship, xian emphasize individual cultivation and spiritual attainment. The key difference lies in the formal positions and duties assigned to deities. Mr. Wu also elaborated on the origins of deities in folk beliefs, stemming from sources such as nature worship, imperial systems, ancient sages, fictional stories, and ancestral spirits. By categorizing the different divine personas, he showcased the cultural richness and diversity embedded in Taiwan's belief systems, offering participants fresh perspectives and valuable insights.

為使學員能更具體化的理解講座中提及之神明階層，文史創新社群於9月份安排了一場精彩的走讀踏查活動。學員在吳勇練老師的帶領下參訪左營的慈濟宮、啟明堂與城隍廟，深入探索廟宇建築如何呈現神明地位禮制尊卑的特色，並從中看出階級涵義。例如:在廟宇建築中，紅色圓柱多供奉高階神明，而灰色或樸素設計則常見於次級神明；廟門大小及供桌高度的設計也與神祇階級密切相關，高階神明前通常擁有寬闊的門及金邊設計，並使用較高的供桌，以顯示其權威，次級神明則反之。

To provide participants with a tangible understanding of the lecture’s concepts, the community arranged a heritage tour in September. Led by Mr. Wu, the group visited Zuoying’s Ciji Temple, Qiming Hall, and Chenghuang Temple, exploring how temple architecture reflects the hierarchical distinctions among deities. For instance, temples dedicated to high-ranking deities often feature red circular pillars and elaborate designs, while those for subordinate deities tend to use simpler, gray elements. Temple gates and altar heights also symbolize divine rank: grand gates adorned with gold edges and elevated altars signify higher authority, whereas modest gates and lower altars are typical for lower-ranking deities.

透過此次講座分享結合走讀踏查的活動方式，文史創新社群邀請在地文史學者帶領學員深入了解台灣民間信仰文化與廟宇建築特色的奧妙。不僅加深學員對台灣在地文化的認識，也啟發大家以全新視角探索傳統建築與信仰的深層意涵。未來，「文史創新社群」將持續結合在地文史學者解說與實地參訪，推出更多精彩活動，期盼吸引更多對文化傳承與地方發展有興趣的學員一同參與。

Through the combination of lectures and heritage tours, the "Cultural and Historical Innovation Community" invites local scholars to guide participants in unraveling the profound connections between Taiwan's folk beliefs and temple architecture. These events not only enrich participants’ understanding of local culture but also inspire new ways of interpreting traditional structures and spiritual practices. Looking ahead, the "Cultural and Historical Innovation Community" plans to continue collaborating with local historians, blending expert insights with hands-on experiences. The initiative aims to attract more participants interested in cultural preservation and community development, fostering deeper appreciation and engagement with Taiwan's rich heritage.