Ciyou Temple

Built in 1753, the temple is mainly dedicated to the Black-faced Mazu. Legend says that after Mazu attained immortality she often rescued ships in distress at sea, and she is widely worshipped in Taiwan. The temple is a square, six-storey building. On the roof ridge of the Sanchuan Hall, the main hall, two dragons face the three immortals of fortune, prosperity and longevity, a symbol of protection. The stone lions of the Sanchuan Hall date from 1803. During renovations they were at one point discarded elsewhere; after they were found again, they were placed in front of the hall. They follow the tradition of the male lion with an open mouth and the female with a closed mouth, which is very rare in Taiwan, and so they have become the temple's treasures. Besides the stone carving, the temple has brightly coloured wood carvings of flowers, animals and figures. The temple has long been the spiritual home of the residents of the thirteen neighbourhoods (jiezhuang) of Xikou. Every year on Mazu's birthday, the 23rd day of the third lunar month, the thirteen neighbourhoods and the temple divide into eastern, southern and northern routes, and shops and homes along the way set up altar tables with offerings of meat, flowers or fruit to welcome Mazu on her procession. Raohe Street Night Market is right next to the temple.

Translated and shortened by DealTaipei from Taiwan's national tourism database. Sources are on the terms page.