<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>City Wall - OUR TOWN</title>
	<atom:link href="https://ourtown.tw/en/category/culture/city-wall/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 24 Jun 2024 02:05:59 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator>

<image>
	<url>https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-logof-32x32.png</url>
	<title>City Wall - OUR TOWN</title>
	<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/</link>
	<width>32</width>
	<height>32</height>
</image> 
	<item>
		<title>The ‘Hidden Gem’ of Kaohsiung’s Lotus Pond Old City of Fengshan’s Wuliting</title>
		<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4304/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Rose]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:47:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[City Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ourtown.tw/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e9%a1%9e/4304/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The old city of Fengshan in Zuoying is famous for various cultural sights such as towering pagodas, colourful temples, imposing statues of gods and deities, small souvenir shops, an ancient wall and even a water activity center, all surrounding the Lotus pond of Zuoying’s old town of Fengshan. Blinking once or twice, while looking over the expansion of the pond, someone might notice a peculiar structure that seems to be almost floating over the pond that so happens to be the Wuliting Small Pagoda.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="ffb-id-715jtagt fg-section fg-text-dark"><div class="fg-container container fg-container-medium fg-container-lvl--1 "><div class="fg-row row    " ><div class="ffb-id-715jtagv fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-12 fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-79n7nmn2 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>writen by Constantine Tsarkos</p>
<p>translated by 張翰笙</p>
<p></div><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbn3vu6 fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/UpscaleImage_1_20240223-2.jpeg" alt="UpscaleImage_1_20240223-2"><p class="ffb-id-7flp7i01 fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Zuoying Old City of Fengshan</p><div class="ffb-id-7fbndnsc fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The old city of Fengshan in Zuoying is famous for various cultural sights such as towering pagodas, colourful temples, imposing statues of gods and deities, small souvenir shops, an ancient wall and even a water activity center, all surrounding the Lotus pond of Zuoying&rsquo;s old town of Fengshan. Blinking once or twice, while looking over the expansion of the pond, someone might notice a peculiar structure that seems to be almost floating over the pond that so happens to be the Wuliting Small Pagoda.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7flpfi4c fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Wuliting Small Pagoda</p><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf0vs fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>From afar it might resemble a tiny board piece you'd find in some intricately carved and perhaps time-lost board game, some nobles would play in ancient times, or even as the mirage of an island oasis you think would disappear once you get close enough to see it clearly but that all depends on how well one gets along with their own imagination. Fear not for this little gem is there to stay.&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnga91 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Upon entering the territory of the Spring and Autumn pavilions, you can walk through the aforementioned constructs to find yourself in front of an approximately 120 meters-long bridge, paving the way for visitors to access the wonders of Wuliting small pagoda. What are these wonders one might wonder and the author surely assumes that's the reason to read thus far in the first place.&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf8qg fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Constructed around 1755, during the Qing Dynasty&rsquo;s rule of Taiwan, the purpose of the over-pond Wuliting pagoda is not extensively documented. After some conversations with local historians and some chit-chats with some senior locals, it became clear that the pagoda has historically served as a spiritual structure for Buddhist and Taoist religious activities, such as prayer, meditation and even religious ceremonies. Additionally, it has symbolic significance in religion and culture, representing enlightenment, spiritual ascent, or protection against negative forces.</p>
<p></div><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7flpomlo fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/圖片-1-7.jpg" alt="圖片 1"><div class="ffb-id-7fbni8uo fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Despite not being directly into the heart of Lotus Pond, it is situated a considerable distance from the shore allowing for a great view and serenity. In modern times the little pagoda of Wuliting is a place to enjoy peace, wonderful views of the sunrise, sunset and enjoy some distant bird watching or even some up close encounters with some friendly feathery friends.&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7flpdalh fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>On the first level, right above the water, you can find locals enjoying that peace, sometimes even taking a nap, perhaps some kids playing, while the second level is where one would like to go to see the "faces of sun", the surrounding area including all the sights and, depending on the season, even the blooming lotuses covering a bit part of the Lotus Pond.&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7flpe25a fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Considering all these, Wuliting little pagoda is an easy-to-miss gem that is more than worth the visit, whether you wish to experience local culture, enjoy the view, simply take a break from the noisy streets of the city over even just to use the vantage point to pinpoint your next target location.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7flp6a1e fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Summary of a cultural explorer’s delights in the Old City of Fengshan </p><div class="ffb-id-7flpfusk fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The ancient wall that was rebuilt in 1826, the local markets, the Zuoying Yuandi Temple that is famous for the gigantic statue of the god it honors, the Dragon and Tiger pagodas, the temple of Confucius, the children's park, as well as an aquatic activity center are all famous sights surrounding the Lotus Pond of Zuoying&rsquo;s Old City of Fengshan. With all these wonderful things someone could experience on a sunny and relaxed weekend, it's easy to miss the one sight that despite being halfway, from one end of the lake (Dragon and Tiger pagodas) to the other (Temple of Confucius) gets the least photons from the spotlight of suggestions. The Spring and Autumn pavilions guard the door to Wuliting small pagoda and it is open to visitors, during the hours that the doors of the Spring and Autumn pavilions are open.</p>
<p></div><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7flpjblc fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/圖片-1-6.jpg" alt="圖片 1"></div></div></div></section><style>.ffb-id-715jtagt{ padding-bottom: 20px;}@media (min-width:992px) { .ffb-id-715jtagt{ padding-bottom: 40px;}}</style><script type="text/javascript"></script>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Zouying Old City of Fengshan</title>
		<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4298/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Rose]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:13:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[City Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ourtown.tw/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e9%a1%9e/4298/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The old city of Fengshan is located in Kaohsiung Zouying nowadays, it was the first city wall of Taiwan built by the Qing Government, the arch was build with granite from China, it has been designated a grade 1 national heritage site, many travelers visit this amazing place when they travel to Kaohsiung. There are totally 4 gate including The North Gate, West Gate, East Gate and the South Gate.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="ffb-id-715jtagt fg-section fg-text-dark"><div class="fg-container container fg-container-medium fg-container-lvl--1 "><div class="fg-row row    " ><div class="ffb-id-715jtagv fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-12 fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-79n7nmn2 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>by 林采兒</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbndnsc fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The old city of Fengshan is located in Kaohsiung Zouying nowadays, it was the first city wall of Taiwan built by the Qing Government, the arch was build with granite from China, it has been designated a grade 1 national heritage site, many travelers visit this amazing place when they travel to Kaohsiung. There are totally 4 gate including The North Gate, West Gate, East Gate and the South Gate.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf0vs fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The North Gate, also known as Gongchen Gate, is completely intact, and the outer side of the gatehouse is decorated with colorful reliefs depicting guardian spirits with evince fine craftsmanship. The West Gate, also known as Danhai Gate, located at Zizhuxinli in Zouying, the gate's sign, which reads &ldquo;West Gate&rdquo; is currently on display in the Former British Consulate in Takao. The East Gate, also known as Fengyi Gate, still present in its entirety, over 500m of the wall remains, there are total 9 crenellations have been built along the wall, as well as an inclined horse track.</p>
<p>Lastly, The South Gate, located at the intersection of Zuoying Avenue and Qishan 3rd Road , the sign of it &ldquo;Qiwen Gate&rdquo; has been kept intact to the present day.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnga91 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Fengsheng old city is a wonderful place to visit, and you will never regret going there. It has been renovate and rebuild for 7 years and it&rsquo;s totally new and also a new spots</p>
<p>for travelers as well. Nearby the Lotus Pond, there are a big waterpark named Lotus Wake Park, Taiwan's only five-tower waterslide, they provided the international standard cable water-skiing equipment, also suitable for parents and children with the fun of the water slide, moreover you can sit in the water to take beautiful pictures with the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, not only the Taiwanese people here, even a lot of foreign tourists come to Taiwan Kaohsiung must be scheduled one of the itinerary.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf8qg fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>There are also many different kind of Temples there, they were all spectacular and historical, such as Chi Ji Palace, Cide Plalace. Visiting temples in Taiwan can also let you know more about the history of Zouying, and also some Chinese traditional stories. The Temples were all located in Zuoying Old Fengshan city, so you can visit mutual temples when you travel Zouying Kaohsiung.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbni8uo fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Lastly, I want to introduce a special festival that were held in the Lotus Pond of Zouying. In 2022, to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival, Lotus Pond Watersports Centre announced that 2022 Capital Cup Dragon Boat Race will be held in Zouying district Lotus Pond. Dragon Boat Festival is a big festival to celebrate in Chinese traditional, before the covid, there were 16 countries in total, more then 7000 people join the race, including USA, Hong Kong, Spain etc. Total 237 teams racing Dragon Boat, this amazing event attracted many domestic and international athletes to participate, which conduct to the development of sports tourism and the creation of peripheral economic benefits. Therefore, you can tell how exciting people are when celebrating this festival.</p>
<p></div><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbn3vu6 fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/圖片-1-21.png" alt="圖片 1"><p class="ffb-id-7fbn4426 fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">1943年臺灣地形圖之左營舊城</p><p class="ffb-id-7flntk66 fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">資料來源:引用自高雄文獻第四卷第三期《左營舊城的日軍震洋隊神社及遺址探查》(頁134)</p></div></div></div></section><style>.ffb-id-715jtagt{ 
padding-bottom: 20px;

}
@media (min-width:992px) { 
.ffb-id-715jtagt{ 
padding-bottom: 40px;

}
}</style><script type="text/javascript"></script>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Making a Name–Distinctive Lintel Plaques in the Old Town</title>
		<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4288/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Rose]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Feb 2024 14:56:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[City Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ourtown.tw/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e9%a1%9e/4288/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Chinese buildings are never complete without lintel plaques. They show up in one form or another at temples, public buildings, bridges, tunnel entrances, private residences, and even headstones. This is another way to manifest the ethos that best represents the venue on which the plaque is placed. ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="ffb-id-715jtagt fg-section fg-text-dark"><div class="fg-container container fg-container-medium fg-container-lvl--1 "><div class="fg-row row    " ><div class="ffb-id-715jtagv fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-12 fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-79n7nmn2 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>by Luis</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbndnsc fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Chinese buildings are never complete without lintel plaques. They show up in one form or another at temples, public buildings, bridges, tunnel entrances, private residences, and even headstones. This is another way to manifest the ethos that best represents the venue on which the plaque is placed. The north gate here in the Old Town, Zuoying, was christened &ldquo;Polaris Gate,&rdquo; suggesting its majestic prominence. As for private properties, Chinese traditional practice tells us that the clan&rsquo;s name is always preferred. The name of a clan certainly reflects the place of origin of a family; and this is how Chinese people trace their lineage to honor their ancestors. As a general, a handful of families from the same geographical region will share the same clan&rsquo;s name. In southeast Asian countries where Chinese immigrants are prevalent, lintel plaques are the best reminder of their wandering past. On special holidays such as the tomb sweeping festival, some overseas Chinese even go to great lengths to return to their ancestral shrines back in China. This is to go back to &ldquo;their roots&rdquo; to pay tribute to their own forefathers. Such tradition speaks volumes about the Chinese philosophy of family.</p>
<p></div><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7c69bpd8 fg-image  img-responsive full-width fg-text-dark" width="1477" height="1108" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LINE_ALBUM_0224-外語社群古厝_240225.jpg" alt="LINE_ALBUM_0224 外語社群古厝_240225"><div class="ffb-id-7j69nmpp ffg-empty-space fg-text-dark"></div><h4 class="ffb-id-7g06d89b fg-heading text-center    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Lintel plaques in the Old Town</h4><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf0vs fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Nonetheless, here in the Old Town things took an interesting turn. Some plaques are nowhere to be found in China; names like Mei-kuei (梅魁), Hong-shi (鴻禧), Chi San Chia (積善家), Ching Yow Yu (慶有餘). But why did they switch to a brand-new clan name? Can there be an unspeakable secret behind? It all sounds too unusual for a community that emphasizes family concept over anything else. We know today that the Old Town has a history of nearly four hundred years as a Chinese settlement; and up until today there are still many families that hold firmly onto their original clan&rsquo;s name. Unfortunately, not even the descendants of those families with new clan names have the slightest idea why at some point their ancestors decided to &ldquo;leave the tradition behind&rdquo; and &ldquo;start a whole new chapter.&rdquo; Such disparity triggered the curiosity of scholars as well as the locals. And for many years nobody knew the answer, until someone decided to crack the &ldquo;Enigma code.&rdquo;</p>
<p></div><h4 class="ffb-id-7g06dogg fg-heading text-center    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Cracking the code</h4><div class="ffb-id-7fbnga91 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Liao Teh Chong (transliteration) was raised in one of those households with &ldquo;special lintel plaques.&rdquo; He and his teammates turned to oral history and registration documents to shed light on this peculiar rarity in the neighborhood. On one occasion, the information obtained during an interview came to a deadlock, and it seemed to be the end of the road. But suddenly an inspiration came to Liao. Being at the house of the interviewee, he asked for permission to check the ancestral tablet on the shrine to &ldquo;go further back in time.&rdquo; The Chinese write the names of their forefathers on the tablet that represents their ancestors, thus worshiping such a tablet is a symbolic gesture of honoring them. In just a few minutes, Liao &ldquo;met everyone&rdquo; throughout the generations, from the most recent ones to those in the Qing dynasty. Another effective tool at hand was the household registration document dating back to the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945). These hand-written papers turned out to be surprisingly accurate despite being a century old; after all, the Japanese are famous for being meticulous in everything they do. By doing some cross comparison and scrutinizing through a pile of records and documents, Liao was finally able to sketch a rough picture of the life of their early ancestors. Many details became clear; such as where they came from, who they married, and when certain events happened. The task was not that difficult at all, but it was tedious and time consuming for an amateur. Mr. Liao is currently a land measurement cartographer by profession, and undoubtedly things from his office contributed quite a lot to the outcome of his research. By overlapping ancient maps on a modern Google map, he was able to see how the town evolved into what we see today. Furthermore, the corroboration of current property owners validated the accounts of interviewees, since it became clear who sold the land to whom.</p>
<p></div><h4 class="ffb-id-7g06f65c fg-heading text-center    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Continuity of the lineage</h4><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf8qg fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The Chinese community is a patriarchal society; thus, the continuity of the family is only possible through a male heir, who bears the family name. In families where male offsprings are not born, an unconventional measure would have to be taken. Uxorilocal marriages and child adoptions were the predominant practices of the time to extend the lineage. However, in many cases the males involved find it difficult to come to terms with their dishonorable plight in a community where everyone else is &ldquo;different.&rdquo; Those who eventually &ldquo;fought their way out&rdquo; by becoming a prominent figure had always grabbed the opportunity to make a name for themselves.&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><h4 class="ffb-id-7g06fob3 fg-heading text-center    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Making a name for himself</h4><div class="ffb-id-7fbni8uo fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Unquestionably, building a big house with a special lintel plaque was really an eye-catching distinction. By the standards of the time, these opulent houses were a huge contrast compared to those flimsy huts that ordinary people could afford. In a time of austerity, this uniqueness speaks volumes by delivering a clear message, &ldquo;I had it my way.&rdquo; Maybe this can be seen as a &ldquo;compensation for the suffered losses.&rdquo;&nbsp; Now that money was no object, in terms of material and craftsmanship, everything was top notch and slightly overbuilt. This helps explain why after more than a century there are still a few of them around, when most of the ancient houses in the Old Town can only last for ninety years at most. But it seems that these individuals were determined to sever all kinds of ties with their ancestors back in China since the special lintel plaques can no longer indicate the origin of their lineage. Since chances of returning home back in China were extremely rare, this &ldquo;renaissance&rdquo; echoed the mentality of most pioneers that made their way across the Taiwan strait to resettle in a new land with a brand-new identity.</p>
<p></div><h4 class="ffb-id-7g06h4ri fg-heading text-center    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Old houses in a modern time</h4><div class="ffb-id-7fbnjb4s fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Fortunately, some current owners of these relics are making an effort to maintain their ancestral houses for different reasons. And to the delight of culture and history lovers, some of them were converted into B&amp;Bs, restaurants, and shops. Sustainability is now the decisive factor for the future of these vanishing pages in the history of the Old Town. Every time you buy something from these venues, you&rsquo;re in fact helping them to continue the awesome job of perpetuating the time capsule so that someone else can embark on a journey into the past.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7flmqdvd fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>In hindsight, it was in fact the predicament that fueled their struggle to do better than others, and even exceed the expectations of the people around them. To put it differently, these special lintel plaques are the badge of honor for the first house owners. In today&rsquo;s cyber language, we should click a thumbs up to the unsung heroes who were seen as losers in those days.</p>
<p></div></div></div></div></section><style>.ffb-id-7j69nmpp{ height: 15px;}</style><script type="text/javascript"></script>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>The History of Zouying Fengshan Old City (Stone City and the City Wall)</title>
		<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4302/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[DC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:16:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[City Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ourtown.tw/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e9%a1%9e/4302/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[During the Qing dynasty, Today’s Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County are part of Fengshan County, Fengshan County’s administration was originally in Zouying, then it migrated to the Fengshan nowadays. Therefore, Fengshan County has already built a county in Zouying and Fengshan. The first built county was called “Old City”, and the other one was called “New City” but had been dismantled during the Japanese colonial period, so only the Old City is left nowadays, causing a phenomenon called “One County, Two Cities”. This is also why Zouying is known by the term “Old City”. ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="ffb-id-715jtagt fg-section fg-text-dark"><div class="fg-container container fg-container-medium fg-container-lvl--1 "><div class="fg-row row    " ><div class="ffb-id-715jtagv fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-12 fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-79n7nmn2 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>by 陳虹育</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbndnsc fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>When you try to have an excursion with your family to Zouying, and you are searching for some attractions on the internet, then you spot that there is a place called&rdquo; Fengshan Old City&rdquo;. Meanwhile, you expect to find a reason for that. Now, I am going to introduce the reason why it is called Fengshan and the history the place goes through.&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf0vs fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>During the Qing dynasty, Today&rsquo;s Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County are part of Fengshan County, Fengshan County&rsquo;s administration was originally in Zouying, then it migrated to the Fengshan nowadays. Therefore, Fengshan County has already built a county in Zouying and Fengshan. The first built county was called &ldquo;Old City&rdquo;, and the other one was called &ldquo;New City&rdquo; but had been dismantled during the Japanese colonial period, so only the Old City is left nowadays, causing a phenomenon called &ldquo;One County, Two Cities&rdquo;. This is also why Zouying is known by the term &ldquo;Old City&rdquo;.&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnga91 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>After introducing the origin of its name, let&rsquo;s talk about its history. Fengshan old city where a place rich in history, can originally be traced back to the Ming and Zhen dynasties. Zaoying becomes the center of military farming because of its peculiar military status, building a tough base of the history of this place. Along with the upcoming Qing dynasty, Zaoying becomes Fengshan County. The country's rise and gradually becoming prosperous make the country&rsquo;s economy skyrocket rapidly. The presence of Wantan Port even opened the development of a new commercial era in this place.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf8qg fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>However, history has always been affected by managing difficulty and political oscillation, making the county undergo several times of migrating, thereby leading to the county&rsquo;s prosperity over volatility a couple of times. In 1721, the city welcomed the county&rsquo;s back, they built up the city wall which was made out of rock for military defense, and the city wall became an essential inflection point in history.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbni8uo fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The reason why the city wall became an essential inflection point in history is because it hides a series of touching history behind the truth. In 1786, the Lin Shuang-wen incident and the Wu Huaisi attack which was launched due to an ethnic raid. Despite the raid either dropping off some quandary to the city or causing some damage to the wall, the city still stands firm, becoming someone that witnesses the history of this city. In 1843 year, the county migrated again to Pitou Street, causing Stone City to not have any practical use, and this inflection became another milestone while recording and witnessing the city&rsquo;s rise and down.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnjb4s fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>To encapsulate, Fengshan Old City is still rich in history nowadays, The Stone City and other civilization museums become somewhere that allow tourists who are enthusiasts to seek the city&rsquo;s history in-depth. This area not only witnessed the transformation of an era but also underwent different periods in Taiwan. History fragments will become more and more as time goes by, but the prerequisite is that need to be in a well-keeping environment.</p>
<p></div></div></div></div></section><style>.ffb-id-7j69nmpp{ 
height: 15px;
}
</style><script type="text/javascript"></script>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Homage to the Greatest Master Ever–The First Confucius Temple in the Old Town of Fengshan City</title>
		<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4292/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[DC]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:50:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[City Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ourtown.tw/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e9%a1%9e/4292/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Confucius temple typically displays no images of any religious characters as opposed to other temples. Simplicity here is the key. The message can’t be clearer; just focus on the doctrines of the great master, and the rest is irrelevant. ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="ffb-id-715jtagt fg-section fg-text-dark"><div class="fg-container container fg-container-medium fg-container-lvl--1 "><div class="fg-row row    " ><div class="ffb-id-715jtagv fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-12 fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-79n7nmn2 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>by Luis</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbndnsc fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>To religious culture lovers, a must-go destination is undoubtedly the Old Town in Zuoying, Kaohsiung; because it is said that this place has the highest temple density in all of Taiwan. Not widely known, the place was once called Fengshan city, but due to political and military unrest, residents of the time had no choice but to seek refuge in a nearby settlement, and hence the name of &ldquo;Old Town.&rdquo; But why so many temples? This is most probably due to the large number of Chinese settlers concentrated in such a small area. Just like immigrants in other countries, these early Chinese pioneers brought their own religion to this outpost of the Chinese frontier. Over time, the variety kept increasing to a point that many gods and deities became &ldquo;tenants sharing a room&rdquo; in the temple of another god. Some of them eventually relocated to a new place as soon as the donations coming from their own believers became large enough to buy them a &ldquo;new house;&rdquo; while others stayed for good. Such kind of hospitality speaks volumes about the religious tolerance of the Taiwanese in general.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf0vs fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Of the many temples and shrines found here in the Old Town, one in particular stands out for being &ldquo;empty and bare.&rdquo; The Confucius temple typically displays no images of any religious characters as opposed to other temples. Simplicity here is the key. The message can&rsquo;t be clearer; just focus on the doctrines of the great master, and the rest is irrelevant. This renowned teacher is one of the great pillars in Chinese culture. He emphasized personal morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, kindness, sincerity, as well as a ruler&rsquo;s duty to his subjects. His all-time famous motto was &ldquo;teaching for everyone without distinction.&rdquo; In modern times, this may be a common practice, but two and a half thousand years ago it was indeed a concept that was way ahead of its time. He can be said to be the founding father of universal education, which made all others coming after mere followers and advocates.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnga91 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Most visitors are enthralled by the majestic welcome of the Confucius Temple located at the northern end of the Lotus Pond. But unknown to many, hidden in a corner inside the Jiuo Cheng elementary school is an old and shabby shrine with neither much decoration or embellishment (pic. 1~2). It is called the Shrine of the Saint (崇聖祠). For visitors who can&rsquo;t read Chinese, this inconspicuous yet essential historic site would have probably gone unnoticed. In fact, this is the remnant of the original Confucius Temple in the Old Town; while the other one was built much later in the 1970s for ceremonial purposes. According to historical records, Chinese authorities arrived in Taiwan in 1684 claiming for the first time in history the sovereignty of the land. Shortly after, public offices and military strongholds in the Old Town were built to facilitate government administration. Interestingly, the Confucius temple was also part of the infrastructure in the Fengshan city (old name of the town). That means it was a state-funded religious venue as opposed to smaller private shrines built on someone&rsquo;s own property. And that&rsquo;s because Confucius temples had a public duty to fulfill. Believe it or not, they had always doubled as educational institutions since ancient times; and this made it possible for public schools to be integrated into it, albeit the education system was a far cry from its modern counterpart. Aside from this, every three years, imperial exams were held to recruit young talents into government offices. At this point, the temple was used as an examination hall for the event. And since the &ldquo;true owner of the temple&rdquo; is the greatest teacher ever, there shouldn&rsquo;t be any reason he would disagree.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6a85a6 fg-row row     fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-7j6a85a7 fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7c69bpd8 fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1.jpg" alt="1"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnfp7p fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">Shrine of the Saint inconspicuously tucked away in a corner of Jiuo Cheng elementary school.<br />
</p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6a85a8 fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbmts5e fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2.jpg" alt="2"><p class="ffb-id-7fbng0uu fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">a closer view.<br />
</p></div></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnf8qg fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Based on some early documents, the main gate of the temple (called Lin-shin Gate) was originally located near the shore of the Lotus Pond, roughly where the main entrance of the elementary school is located today, while the shrine is at the far back end of the whole venue. In between were Ta-Chen Gate and Ta-Chen Temple. And on either side were the left and right pavilions. The one on the left was used as the living quarters of government officials stationed in the Old Town, while the one on the right was allocated for the classrooms of the academy (or simply &ldquo;school&rdquo; in modern terms). Considering the above, the Japanese built the current Jiuo Cheng elementary school in 1900 right on the place where the temple once stood. Unfortunately, save for the shrine, all the rest was torn down to make way for new school facilities, which is why it&rsquo;s the only remaining original part of the temple left today. However, some remnants are still scattered around on campus. With the help of experts, some granite blocks were found and identified. They&rsquo;re now arranged as a part of the garden decoration near the school entrance. And those proved to be door gudgeons (axle sockets) and stone plinths (pedestals) for timber beams (pic 3~4). Two drum-like stone carvings serve as &ldquo;doorman&rdquo; at the entrance of the patio in front of the shrine (pic. 4b~4d). According to Chinese mythology, this drum-like creature is one of the nine sons of the Dragon, Chiau-tu (椒圖). It is usually placed at the entrance due to its quiet and reserved nature. This common practice of using mythological creatures as decoration can be found in every Chinese temple. Based on their &ldquo;personality,&rdquo; they&rsquo;re deployed around with a connotation about its purpose. In this case, it&rsquo;s to keep secret everything overheard from the prayers of worshipers in the shrine.&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6a92ed fg-row row     fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-7j6a92ee fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbmuur1 fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/3.jpg" alt="3"><p class="ffb-id-7fbngrad fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">door gudgeon standing upright as bridge decoration, notice the socket hole with iron rust.<br />
</p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6a92ef fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbmvssc fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/4.jpg" alt="4"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnh1cp fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">stone plinth for timber beams.</p></div></div><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbn0d8v fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/4b.jpg" alt="4b"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnhaaj fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">drum-like “doormen”<br />
</p><div class="ffb-id-7j6aaac8 fg-row row     fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-7j6aaac9 fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbn0upf fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/4c.jpg" alt="4c"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnhkrn fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">left “doorman”<br />
</p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6aaaca fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbn1fcl fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/4d.jpg" alt="4d"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnhudv fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">right “doorman”<br />
</p></div></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbni8uo fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>One missing link worth mentioning is the water pond in the shape of a half moonie, called Pan Pond (泮池) . This semicircular pond comes with an arch bridge over it, and is typically built outside the main gate of all Confucius temples (pic. 5). As a symbolic gesture, all examinees walk over the bridge to enter the examination hall suggesting a &ldquo;quantum leap.&rdquo; During the Japanese period, the administration of the elementary school decided to build a mini&ndash;Pan Pond to make up for &ldquo;the only thing lacking&rdquo; (pic. 6). And since then, according to the accounts of locals, as a school tradition all graduating students would have to cross the bridge before leaving.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6abcdg fg-row row     fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-7j6abcdh fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbn2d9h fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/5.jpg" alt="5"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnj1tq fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">semicircular pond and arch bridge at the new Confucius temple in Zuoying.<br />
</p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6abcdi fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbn30sf fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6.jpg" alt="6"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnipj1 fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">mini-Pan Pond still retaining its original purpose at Jiuo Cheng elementary school after almost a century.<br />
</p></div></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnjb4s fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Some experts claim that in the 19th century the temple underwent a renovation giving it the look we see today. In addition, they added a Pan Pond by building a semicircular wall with coral stones to &ldquo;steal a small part from the Lotus Pond&rdquo; and make it an extension of the temple. But due to yearly typhoons and lack of maintenance, the pond eventually turned too shallow and people simply covered it with soil to push the shore further into the Lotus Pond. Viewed from Google map today, that section still retains the original semicircular shape (pic. 7)</p>
<p></div><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7fbn3vu6 fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/7.png" alt="7"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnjmde fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">see the semicircular green area just outside the elementary school across from the street; it’s a clear indication of the outer line of the Pan Pond that once stood there.</p>
<p></p><div class="ffb-id-7fbnl3tc fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>In another corner of the school just behind the shrine is a parade of ten stelae collected from places scattered around in the Old Town, each one telling its own story (pic. 8). And there&rsquo;s more to these beautiful works of art than meets the eye. Many historical events were confirmed by the inscriptions, specifying little details such as people, places, and dates. This is a reliable source of corroboration for historical facts as we know them. One of the ten stelae stands out catching the attention of visitors, not due to its size or the amount of information provided but instead for the purpose it served. It&rsquo;s roughly half as tall compared to the big ones, and the number of Chinese characters is just a handful. It&rsquo;s a dismounting stele for people passing by (pic. 9). It goes without saying that back in those days only a few could afford some kind of transportation, while the rest almost always went on foot. Dismounting stelae are often erected outside important venues such as temples, government offices, or even the residence of prominent figures among others. The message inscribed orders the traveler to dismount and simply walk past as a gesture of respect. They were regarded as an imperial decree; thus, anyone who fails to obey would be subject to punishment as severe as death penalty.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6acbd1 fg-row row     fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-7j6acbd2 fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7c6a3jno fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/8.jpg" alt="8"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnkidm fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">a display of ten famous stelae collected from places scattered around in the Old Town.<br />
</p></div><div class="ffb-id-7j6acbd3 fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-6 fg-text-dark"><img decoding="async" class="ffb-id-7c6a4tl1 fg-image  img-responsive fg-text-dark" width="500" src="https://ourtown.tw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/9.jpg" alt="9"><p class="ffb-id-7fbnkp9c fg-paragraph text-left    content-picture-des fg-text-dark">dismounting stele.</p></div></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnle9k fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>This philosophy comes from Confucianism stipulating the roles of each and every individual with the goal of achieving social harmony. That&rsquo;s a reminder of our feudal past; and it&rsquo;s amazing that we have come a long way from that period in history. Civilization will always move on leaving behind a trace of food for thought.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnjuoo fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Before we leave this magnificent place, there&rsquo;s one more thing to watch. An opening in the outer wall of the shrine reveals a lot on how it was built (pic. 10). Early Chinese settlers faced a huge challenge in order to get the public infrastructure built. It meant an arduous logistic of unprecedented scale. Unlike other settlements, the problem here was a big barrier of sea water, the Taiwan Strait. Since no brick kilns and sawmills were available, everything would have to be &ldquo;imported from China&rdquo;. Timber parts were cut to exact dimensions only to be assembled here on the spot, giving the architect no chances to dry fit all parts and make little necessary adjustments. They could only rely on the skills of the people carrying out the job with simple hand tools. Bricks and tiles for the roof and the floor were all transported from Fu-Chien, a province in China on the other shore of the strait. Even human resources became a hurdle. Masters and craftsmen were recruited only for the time of the construction at a higher wage. Strange enough, major city walls and public infrastructures built during the Qing dynasty were all concentrated here in Taiwan instead of China. By the time they came to power in 1644, which was a rather peaceful transition, the necessary &ldquo;framework&rdquo; to run the nation in China was already all in place. But Taiwan, like aforementioned, was much later incorporated into the empire probably due to its remoteness. Therefore, everything here was &ldquo;built from the ground up.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7fbnlrbc fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Even though centuries have passed, each and every one of the historic sites here in the Old Town is still waiting for someone to tell and retell its intriguing stories. And the only way to materialize this endeavor is when ordinary people like you and me take action to be their ambassadors and even become the voice of the silent memories of the past.</p>
<p></div></div></div></div></section><style></style><script type="text/javascript"></script>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Rekindling the Dawn - The West Town Wall and the Remains of the Zhenyang Shrine</title>
		<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4392/</link>
					<comments>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4392/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Rose]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Feb 2024 14:21:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[City Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ourtown.tw/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e9%a1%9e/4392/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[This article will focus on the stories surrounding the old city gates - Simen (West Gate) and the shrine ruins, allowing us to follow the traces of these historical landmarks and witness the events that unfolded during World War II. It turns out that this piece of land holds many lesser-known but indelible stories, full of tears and genuine historical occurrences.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="ffb-id-715jtagt fg-section fg-text-dark"><div class="fg-container container fg-container-medium fg-container-lvl--1 "><div class="fg-row row    " ><div class="ffb-id-715jtagv fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-12 fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-715jtaha fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-auther-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>by Rita</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7g6rl1uj fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Witnessing the Centennial Splendor of the Old City</p><div class="ffb-id-7g6rn9sg fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Zuoying Old Town, having endured numerous trials and tribulations over the past century, has a rich history that traces back to the Dutch period. We can catch glimpses of its diverse facets, especially during the fascinating periods of Qing dynasty and Japanese occupation. Whether it's in terms of industry, economy, architecture, or even local folklore such as Feng Shui, each aspect is worth exploring. This article will focus on the stories surrounding the old city gates - Simen (West Gate) and the shrine ruins, allowing us to follow the traces of these historical landmarks and witness the events that unfolded during World War II. It turns out that this piece of land holds many lesser-known but indelible stories, full of tears and genuine historical occurrences.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7g6rlfip fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">The Unknown Origins of The West Gate</p><div class="ffb-id-7g6ro5f2 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The Town wall before us was completed in the sixth year of Qing Daoguang (1826 AD), constructed with stone to represent the achievement of the second town-building endeavor (the first being an earthen wall). This wall includes four gates facing east, west, south, and north. However, to this day, only the North Gate (Gongchen Gate), South Gate (Qiweng Gate), and East Gate (Fengyi Gate) remain standing. Some may wonder about the west gate ?</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7g6roein fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The west gate, also known as the Deanhai Gate, with "Dean" carrying the connotation of "stability," faced the Zuoying naval base and the Taiwan Strait. The name of this gate symbolizes a prayer for stability in the maritime region, wishing for the safe departure and return of those setting sail. However, due to demolition efforts during the Japanese occupation, the silhouette of the west gate has vanished into the river of history.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7g6rokn3 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Fast forward to 2013, the Ministry of National Defense initiated the dismantling project of military dependents' villages. As residents gradually moved out, surprising discoveries unfolded during the excavation process &ndash; the remnants and foundations of the west gate were unveiled. In March 2014, the Simen City Walls site emerged once again, with town wall a clearer delineation, leading the government to officially designate it as a national historic site. To everyone's delight, beneath the wall, Kaohsiung Cultural Association uncovered what appeared to be remnants of a suspected Japanese military trench; meanwhile, above the wall, the existence of shrine structures raised widespread attention. The question of whether it was indeed a shrine remains open, pending further archaeological studies. The association decided to conduct an in-depth investigation, hoping that archaeological excavations would unveil the historical events and stories of nearly a century.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7g6ropja fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;As for the gate plaque of 'the west gate,' it is currently housed in the Kaohsiung Museum of History. For those eager to delve deeper, a visit to the museum promises a glimpse into the captivating historical tales engraved on the plaque! Such cultural excavations not only enrich the layers of the city's history but also provide a profound understanding of this chapter in history.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7g6rlpjo fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Japanese Style Historic Site Erected on the Town Wall</p><div class="ffb-id-7g6rt93k fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Returning to the remnants of the town wall, Kaohsiung Cultural Association made a remarkable discovery on the west town wall. Similar to the base of honden (main hall), a temizuya (a place for worshippers to cleanse their hands), and ruins such as shrine approach path. Notably, on the temizuya, an engraving of a pattern known as 'Double Hook Jade' was identified, resembling the Yin-Yang Tai Chi . It is the "communal crest" of Oishi Shrine in Akō-shi , Japan. It's worth mentioning that this specific pattern is not typically found in Shinto shrines in Taiwan. Confirmation from Mr. Hisanori Sakai, a professor and Shinto expert from a Japanese university, revealed that Among all the&nbsp; Japanese camp shrines , the one most closely resembling the base of the main hall in Zuoying is the Tsukuba Shrine of the Tsukuba Naval Air Group, further strengthening the credibility of the existence of the Zhenyang Shrine.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the book 'Recollections of Bo troops: Naval No. 20 Zhenyang Special Attack Unit' documents that &ldquo; Zhenyang Shrine was burned after the defeat in war &ldquo;and that &ldquo;the shrine was located on the town wall behind the military barracks&rdquo;, providing additional confirmation that this shrine was established during the Japanese colonial period and towards the end of World War II. In the exploration of the old town of Zuoying, experts uncovered limited surviving remnants of Japanese shrines overseas, marking a significant and valuable find with important cultural and historical significance. This discovery contributes to the preservation of the cultural heritage of both nations.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7g6rm1mj fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">A Symbol of Despair, Also a Sanctuary of Faith</p><div class="ffb-id-7g6rurbs fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>As previously mentioned, the Zhenyang Special Attack Unit, &ldquo;Zhenyang&rdquo;(しんよう) earned its name towards the end of the Pacific War when Japan's military strength was severely depleted. In an effort to resist the advancing American forces, Japan resorted to suicide attacks, known as the 'Shinyo Special Attack Unit.' Similar to the more widely known 'Kamikaze Special Attack Unit,' this approach involved utilizing human-piloted explosive crafts designed for deployment on water. The Shinyo boats were small, lightweight vessels with a custom three-layered hull, approximately 10 meters in length and 2 meters in width. The front of the boat housed explosives, while the rear accommodated Toyota engine equipment, making it a relatively simple structure.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7g6rv4p0 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>By 1944, Japan had organized ten camps in Taiwan, distributed in areas such as Taipei, Keelung, Kaohsiung's Zuoying, Guandu, Pingtung's Haikou, and Penghu's Xiyu. The teams stationed near Zuoying old town were the 20th Team (Bo Troops), the 21st Team (Takeuchi Troops) and the 31st Team (Kurihara Troops). Zhenyang 21st Unit was positioned near the xī z&igrave; zh&ugrave; new village. The construction of shrines can be seen as providing temporary stability and a sense of peace to these Special Attack Unit soldiers during tumultuous times. In an era filled with chaos and the constant risk of losing their lives, soldiers could engage in activities such as training, exercises, camp security, or playing baseball. The remnants of the shrine site reflect the complex emotions of the soldiers who came here to pray. Their feelings during that time were undoubtedly a mix of various emotions. The surviving artifacts symbolize the pain and indescribable fragments of sorrow left behind in this place.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7g6rv9gf fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Fortunately, Japan surrendered shortly after, bringing an end to the war. Soldiers were no longer required to carry out their missions, allowing the members of the Special Attack Units to survive. After the war, some chose to continue their lives in Taiwan, while others were repatriated to Japan. The name 'Zhenyang' should not be forgotten, and as residents of Kaohsiung, even if not originally from Zuoying, we should remember this history. After all, this place witnessed the struggles and sacrifices of many Japanese and Taiwanese individuals who fought for their &ldquo;country&rdquo;.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7g6rma81 fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Reviving Memories of the Land</p><div class="ffb-id-7g6s176c fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Through in-depth exploration of the relics mentioned above, we gain insight into the vital role that archaeology plays in connecting local historical contexts. Often, we only see the surface features without understanding the intricate details behind them. Those seemingly inconspicuous ruins actually hold significant cultural and historical value. These landmarks were once treasures in the river of history, and how can we overlook this rich cultural heritage?</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7g6s1ct6 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>There is still time. Take the opportunity to carefully delve into understanding and experiencing, and you'll hear the echoes of history's stories in your ears. Looking forward, we hope to continue discovering more undisclosed historical sites in Zuoying, gradually unveiling the appearance of the old town over the past century. It also makes more people willing to pay attention to the preservation of literature and history and continue to pass on the story of Zuoying. Let us awaken the precious memories contained in this land together.We anticipate that everyone who embarks on this deep exploration becomes a witness to history, ensuring the transmission of these valuable historical stories.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7e15pdbf fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Reference:</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7e15pljj fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://gis.rchss.sinica.edu.tw/mapdap/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/PPT_201502.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">左營舊城日軍震洋神社及遺址探查</a></li>
<li><a href="https://tw.news.yahoo.com/日教授來台蒐秘-全球唯-僅存的震洋隊遺址-011521419.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">日教授來台蒐秘 全球唯一僅存的震洋隊遺址</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.pts.org.tw/article/435695" target="_blank" rel="noopener">二戰台灣震洋特攻隊僅存隊員現身講述歷史</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.th.gov.tw/new_site/05publish/03publishquery/02journal/01download.php?COLLECNUM=401064406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">臺灣人‧志願兵&bull;震洋特攻隊:陳金村先生口述歷史</a></li>
<li><a href="https://memory.culture.tw/Home/Detail?Id=186072&amp;IndexCode=Culture_Place" target="_blank" rel="noopener">高雄市左營舊城西門</a></li>
</ol>
<p></div></div></div></div></section><style></style><script type="text/javascript"></script>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4392/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Exorcize and suppress evil spirits -Gongchen Door God</title>
		<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/4411/</link>
					<comments>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/4411/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Rose]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 05:34:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[City Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ourtown.tw/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e9%a1%9e/4411/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[左營舊聚落現今仍留有約60間傳統古厝，左營下路的廖家古厝是很顯眼的，整修後的古厝可自由參觀，訪客在庭院稍坐片刻，享用一杯杏仁茶，感受舊聚落氛圍。訪客會問為何門額是乾三連，這是堂號嗎?因為台灣各地並未發現有乾三連門額]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="ffb-id-715jtagt fg-section fg-text-dark"><div class="fg-container container fg-container-medium fg-container-lvl--1 "><div class="fg-row row    " ><div class="ffb-id-715jtagv fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-12 fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-715jtaha fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-auther-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>by Rose</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3gekm fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>There is a saying: "It never rains but it pours." Not only do individuals encounter periods of bad luck, but even deities don't always have favorable fortunes. In the realm of folk religion, among the Five Offerings, the "Door Gods" can be considered gods associated with unfavorable circumstances. Undertaking the role of Door Gods requires constant vigilance day and night, guarding the people, warding off evil spirits on the left and battling ghosts on the right, preventing malevolent forces from trespassing through the doors. However, fewer and fewer people perform solemn rituals to honor them, a treatment that might not match that of their fellow deities, like the Kitchen God, and could even be less than the spirits during the Ghost Month in July.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3ggmp fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>That being said, it doesn't imply that Door Gods hold a low status among the celestial beings. On the contrary, Door Gods have a long history in East Asia, with different dynasties and religions having their specific gods guarding the gates. Not only can people find them on their own door couplets and traditional temple structures, but even town walls fall under their protective domain. This article will take you on a visit to the North Gate of Zuoying Old Town, where Door Gods have stood watch over this land for centuries.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7gc3ijn3 fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">The Rise and Fall of Zuoying Old Town and the Arrival of the Door Gods</p><div class="ffb-id-7gc3j43u fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>&nbsp;To understand the story of the old city door gods, we must first delve into the history between Zuoying Old Town and its walls. Zuoying Old Town, also known as Fengshan County Old City, was the first earthen wall in present-day Taiwan. However, upon closer observation, one would notice another "Fengshan" in the Pitou area of Kaohsiung. What's the story behind this?</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3j9bj fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>&nbsp;In fact, early references to Fengshan mostly referred to the Fengshan City in Zuoying District. However, during the Qing Dynasty, Zuoying was breached by militia, and government offices were relocated to Pitou. The name of the town also moved along, continuing to the present day. To distinguish, &ldquo;Fengshan&rdquo; in Zuoying became known as "Zuoying Old Town". Stepping into the old town, one can almost hear the call of history, with the walls saturated with the sediment of time. And the transformation of this land also laid the groundwork for a captivating story behind the birth of the old town door gods.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3jdce fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The turbulent era of "minor uprisings every three years, major uprisings every five years" refers to the intense friction between the roving monks who crossed the seas to Taiwan and the corrupt officials. During the Qing Dynasty, Taiwan was under strict government rule, and single men who immigrated here faced difficulties in getting married and starting families due to strict government regulations prohibiting women from crossing the seas. Meanwhile, due to poor governance, officials were corrupt, leading to social unrest, fights, and uprisings becoming commonplace. In these tumultuous times, fear gripped the hearts of the people in Taiwanese society.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3jkht fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>However, the Qing government prohibited the construction of walled cities in Taiwan, fearing that if the emperor was far away, people would rely on the fortifications to rebel. Therefore, Fengshan County City became the primary target of militia attacks. After the incident involving Zhu Yigui, the magistrate of Fengshan broke the ban and, with the cooperation of the residents, began building earthen walls. For the safety of the city, they did whatever they could, using materials such as soil, wood, and bamboo to construct the first earthen city in Taiwan. Today, it has become an important event in local history.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3joi2 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>However, this rudimentary earthen wall still couldn't withstand the assailants. It was breached by the allied forces led by Zhuang Datian during the Lin Shuangwen Incident, with houses burned down and the earthen wall collapsed. The government offices were then relocated to Pitou, and during this period, the name Fengshan was brought from Zuoying District to Pitou. Although they moved to a new location, it didn't bring new fortunes. Another uprising ensued, and on top of that, the new Fengshan was attacked by bandits led by Cai Qian. It was then that people remembered the beauty of Fengshan Old Town. Thus, with funds raised from the public and relying on Turtle Mountain, they once again erected rough stone walls. Even though the emperor issued decrees, the stone walls were still built, yet the world remained in turmoil. Both the people and the government were reluctant to abandon the lively neighborhood of Pitou and return to the deserted Zuoying. Moreover, rumors spread about the county magistrate Du Shaoqi's violent death, leaving the people in shock. Therefore, officials asked a pair of door gods to come on the north town wall to ward off evil and stabilize people's hearts.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7gc3m693 fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Who are the Door Gods?</p><div class="ffb-id-7gc3n4oi fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Since people have had the concept of "home", the door has been seen as a barrier separating the dangers outside, and the gods of the door are responsible for guarding against those invisible malevolent forces. Even a single door has its guardian deity protecting the household. Especially in East Asia, where traditional folk beliefs are strongest, the development of door gods has a history of thousands of years, and their identities may vary due to cultural and regional differences.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3n9d7 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Taking ancient China as an example, it is believed that in the beginning, door gods were small humanoid figures carved from peach wood. This is because ancient people believed that peach wood was a sacred wood, capable of warding off evil spirits, just as peaches could be used as swords to slay demons. Over time, door gods in China evolved into representations of the most iconic heroes of the time. For example, the Han Chinese believed that strong and brave warriors could defend the door, and Jing Ke, who attempted to assassinate the Qin king, was revered as a door god due to his sacrifice and courage. Zhong Kui from the Tang Dynasty, known for eating ghosts, was not only hung up to ward off diseases and evil spirits but also became a popular door god.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3ndhb fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Apart from dynasties, different religious beliefs also have unique door gods and legends. Buddhism has Weituo and Jialan; there are "Hengjiang" and "Ha Jiang" specially honored in "Investiture of the Gods" from Longshan Temple; the ghost kings Zhang, Huang, Su, and Li who were subdued by Master Qingshui as the Four Great Generals; the Daoist Four Generals Ma, Zhao, Wen, and Zhou; and the Niu Tou Ma Mian (Ox-Headed and Horse-Faced) and the Seven Lords in Chenghuang Temples, responsible for capturing and punishing evil spirits.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7gc3ov0m fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Guardian Deities Warding off Evil Spirits</p><div class="ffb-id-7gc3pb1j fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>&nbsp;So, who are the door gods of the North Gate, "Gongchen Gate," tasked with suppressing impurities and protecting the four directions? There are two interpretations. One suggests Shentu and Yulei, two fierce-looking deities who bind evil spirits with reed ropes and hand them over to tigers. The other theory involves Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong, two great generals who once guarded Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, scare away the dragon king's life-threatening cry. Consequently, people emulate them, hoping for equal protection as that of the emperor. Regardless of who the door gods of Gongchen Gate are, they stand guard over this century-old town, day after day, year after year, hoping to ward off evil and witness generations of peace and prosperity for the people of this land.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7e15pdbf fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Reference：</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7e15pljj fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://takao.tw/zuoying-old-town-story/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">左營鳳山縣舊城的故事- 打狗高雄</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mjib.gov.tw/FileUploads/eBooks/f1da2eb7a9fd46e99316db806bd068ac/Section_file/720ffdf60f4c420691bd895b0b7ae1c7.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">祈福顧厝話門神</a></li>
<li><a href="https://memory.culture.tw/Home/Detail?Id=150189&amp;IndexCode=Culture_Place" target="_blank" rel="noopener">宮保第大門門神-文化部國家文化記憶庫</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nrch.culture.tw/twpedia.aspx?id=4436" target="_blank" rel="noopener">門神</a></li>
<li><a href="https://religion.moi.gov.tw/Knowledge/Content?ci=2&amp;cid=620" target="_blank" rel="noopener">門神 - 宗教神祇</a></li>
</ol>
<p></div></div></div></div></section><style></style><script type="text/javascript"></script>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/4411/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>A Brief History of the Tzu Chi Temple in Zuoying City</title>
		<link>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4403/</link>
					<comments>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4403/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Rose]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 05:06:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[City Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ourtown.tw/%e6%9c%aa%e5%88%86%e9%a1%9e/4403/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[左營舊聚落現今仍留有約60間傳統古厝，左營下路的廖家古厝是很顯眼的，整修後的古厝可自由參觀，訪客在庭院稍坐片刻，享用一杯杏仁茶，感受舊聚落氛圍。訪客會問為何門額是乾三連，這是堂號嗎?因為台灣各地並未發現有乾三連門額]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="ffb-id-715jtagt fg-section fg-text-dark"><div class="fg-container container fg-container-medium fg-container-lvl--1 "><div class="fg-row row    " ><div class="ffb-id-715jtagv fg-col col-xs-12 col-md-12 fg-text-dark"><div class="ffb-id-715jtaha fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-auther-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>by Rose</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc2tumt fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>&nbsp;In the bustling streets filled with the constant flow of vehicles, hurriedly passing by stands a temple that has witnessed a century of history. The Tzu Chi Temple, located outside the town walls of Zuoying's old town, rooted deeply in the 'Laozu Temple' of Fengshan's old town, has been a beacon of faith for the people, spanning from the Japanese colonial period to the early years of the Republic of China and into modern times. This traditional temple, dedicated to Bao Sheng Da Di (保生大帝), represents the profound beliefs of the community and bears witness to the historical evolution of this land. In this article, we will flip the hourglass, taking you on a journey across the currents, to revisit the development history of Zuoying's old town and the Tzu Chi Temple.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7gc2t81e fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">The Migration Journey of Tzu Chi Temple and Zuoying's Old Town</p><div class="ffb-id-7gc2uer8 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Before delving into the history of Tzu Chi Temple, we must first understand why there are two 'Fengshan' in Kaohsiung. What exactly distinguishes the two 'Fengshan'? Typically, when people mention 'Fengshan,' they are referring to the Fengshan administrative district (Xiaopitou District) in Kaohsiung. The other 'Fengshan' is the 'Fengshan Old Town' (Zuoying District). The existence of these two Fengshan is rooted in the early days when Fengshan County's political center was situated in the Zuoying area, also known as (Xinglong Village). However, due to the breaching of the town walls during the Lin Shuang-wen Rebellion, the government offices were relocated to Pito Street, now forming the present Fengshan administrative district. To distinguish the two, the area before the relocation became known as 'Fengshan Old Town,' creating the unique phenomenon of 'a county with two county seats' seen in Kaohsiung!</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc2uk63 fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Returning to Tzu Chi Temple, Zuoying Tzu Chi Temple is also known as Chengyi Tzu Chi Temple, with 'Chengyi' indicating that it was originally a temple located within the county seat. During the Japanese colonial period, Japanese military officials recognized the potential of Zuoying as a naval base. Simultaneously, they were concerned that individuals might spy on military secrets from the hilltops of Gushan. Consequently, all residents within Fengshan Old Town were forced to relocate. Bao Sheng Da Di, originally situated in the old town, moved successively to Neiwei Zhen'an Temple, Huang's Residence, Pizitou Chen's Residence, and eventually settled at No. 9 Liantan Road. After a fundraising effort by local gentry for reconstruction, the people welcomed back the sacred statue of Bao Sheng Da Di for worship. The name 'Chengyi' thus became deeply embedded in everyone's hearts, becoming a constant and reliable Dinghai needle.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7gc2vf0g fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">The Precarious Feng Shui</p><div class="ffb-id-7gc302nu fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The migration journey of Tzu Chi Temple and the old town reveals that Taiwan's society, whether during the Qing Dynasty, Japanese colonial period, or the early years of the Republic of China, experienced considerable turmoil. In times of uncertainty, traditional beliefs that could stabilize people's minds were particularly crucial. Feng Shui, closely tied to personal Qi and fortunes, has always held a significant place in the hearts of residents. However, when it comes to the Feng Shui situation in Zuoying, it can be said that in earlier years, it instilled fear in the hearts of the people, and the primary reason was that Feng Shui in this area had been largely destroyed due to government policies!</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc3087u fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Firstly, after the Lin Shuang-wen Rebellion, the old town was infiltrated by the civilian army from Snake Mountain, bypassing the original earth walls, which were completely demolished. Unable to serve its defensive purpose, the government, after the rebellion, relocated to the vicinity of Turtle Mountain, abandoning Snake Mountain and constructing new stone walls. This 'encircling the turtle and releasing the snake' enclosed the entire Turtle Mountain within the town walls, enhancing security but blocking the path for the Turtle Deity to drink water, the first ominous one.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc30c5c fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Secondly, during the Japanese colonial period, the newly opened Shengli Road separated the Immortals of Turtle Mountain, dividing them into Small and Large Turtle Mountains. Not only could the turtle not drink water, but its neck was also severed - the second ominous sign.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc30h1h fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Thirdly, when General Gui Yongqing widened Shengli Road to contribute to Kaohsiung's infrastructure, residents built a memorial tower on Small Turtle Mountain to commemorate the general's efforts after his passing. However, this act was akin to inserting a needle into the turtle's head &ndash; how could the Turtle Deity find peace? This marks the third ominous sign.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7gc32mph fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">The Dragon and Tiger Pagoda: Rescuing People from plight</p><div class="ffb-id-7gc332cp fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>The disrupted Feng Shui caused by construction did not improve over time. Even after the removal of the Yongqing Tower, concerns persisted. According to local elders, in the late 1980s, Bao Sheng Da Di, the main deity enshrined in Tzu Chi Temple, heard the voices of the people. In response, he decreed that residents should construct the Dragon and Tiger Pagoda to dispel calamities. As long as one 'enters the dragon's throat and exits the tiger's mouth,' individuals could turn dangers into safety and find protection.</p>
<p></div><p class="ffb-id-7gc33qai fg-paragraph text-left    content-title-style-h2 fg-text-dark">Bao Sheng Da Di and His Dragon Tiger Generals</p><div class="ffb-id-7gc349el fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Now, the question arises: Why must the entrance and exit be in the likeness of a divine dragon and a tiger? In fact, this design is the embodiment of the anecdotes of Bao Sheng Da Di, recreating the miracles of the healing god.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc34f7j fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Bao Sheng Da Di, originally named Wu Tao, whether referred to as 'Wu Tao' or 'Wu Ben,' all point to the legendary divine physician born over a thousand years ago during the Song Dynasty. It is said that Wu Tao's medical skills were unparalleled, to the extent that he could snatch people from the king of Yama, achieving the realm of reviving the deceased.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc34j1f fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Before Wu Fei ascended to immortality, he was already renowned among the common people, known for his miraculous healing abilities and the expulsion of evil. One day, while Wu Fei was gathering herbs in the mountains, a wheezing tiger approached him. Surprisingly, the tiger showed no signs of aggression and even obediently lay down, opening its mouth wide, as if implying something. With a compassionate heart, Wu Tao examined the tiger and found a hairpin stuck in its throat. The tiger admitted to swallowing a woman, leading to the obstruction. Although Wu Fei felt pity, he also worried for the innocent people. He made a deal with the tiger: it must promise never to prey on humans, and only then would he provide treatment. After the tiger agreed, Wu Tao reached into its throat with his bare hands, removed the hairpin, and healed the wound. The tiger, true to its promise, never consumed humans again.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7gc34p3s fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Wu Fei's medical skills became even more profound, gaining recognition not only among ordinary people and animals but even among mythical creatures. One day, a dragon with a severe eye infection sought his help. Wu Tao easily saw through the dragon's disguise as a mortal and generously offered assistance, using herbs to heal its eyes. In gratitude, both the tiger and the dragon chose to stay by his side, accompanying him in doing good deeds and aiding the suffering. This is the origin of the famous phrase 'Curing the tiger's throat, Pointing the dragon's eye,' and the reason why the Dragon Tiger Pagoda features both a 'Dragon' and a 'Tiger.</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7e15pdbf fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1 fg-text-dark"></p>
<p>Reference：</p>
<p></div><div class="ffb-id-7e15pljj fg-paragraph ff-richtext text-left    content-p-style1-en fg-text-dark"></p>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://strollcity.net/article/838794/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">左營慈濟宮| 城事散策</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ntbk.gov.tw/singlehtml/a2c9abe90a8b4169b652cf44a4e593f9?cntId=8eb5e41a90e548ea952d2fd158e4cf3d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">宮廟、祠堂、教堂-財政部高雄國稅局全球資訊網</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nchdb.boch.gov.tw/assets/overview/monument/19850819000083" target="_blank" rel="noopener">鳳山縣舊城</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oldcity.kcg.gov.tw/home02.aspx?ID=$4000&amp;IDK=2&amp;EXEC=L" target="_blank" rel="noopener">左營舊城知多少</a></li>
<li>鳳<a href="https://khh.travel/zh-tw/attractions/detail/143" target="_blank" rel="noopener">山縣舊城| 高雄旅遊網</a></li>
</ol>
<p></div></div></div></div></section><style></style><script type="text/javascript"></script>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://ourtown.tw/en/culture/city-wall/4403/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
