Taipei Confucius Temple
The Taipei Confucius Temple (traditional Chinese: 臺北孔子廟; simplified Chinese: 台北孔子庙; pinyin: Táiběi Kǒngzǐ Miào; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-pak-khóng-chú-biō) is a Confucian temple in Datong District, Taipei, Taiwan.
| Taipei Confucius Temple | |
|---|---|
臺北孔子廟 | |
| Location | |
| Location | Datong, Taipei, Taiwan |
| Geographic coordinates | 25°4′22.57″N 121°30′59.8″E / 25.0729361°N 121.516611°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | temple of Confucius |
| Style | Fujian architecture |
| Completed | 1879 (original building) 1930 (current building) |
History edit
Qing Dynasty edit
The Taipei Confucius Temple was built in 1879 during the Qing era, after Taipeh Prefecture was established in 1875.
Empire of Japan edit
During the Japanese era, the temple was demolished, but was rebuilt in 1930 by Wang Yi-Shun. The newly completed temple had only been in use for a few years when World War II broke out. The Japanese ordered an end to traditional Chinese ceremonies, and Japanese Shinto ritual music was played in the temple for a brief period until 1945 when Taiwan was handed over from Japan to the Republic of China.
Republic of China edit
After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China in 1945, the temple was temporarily used to house the Examination Yuan until 1951 when the office was moved to Muzha District.[1] During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, visitors to the temple are required to maintain social distance and their numbers were regulated to ensure safety.[2]
Architecture edit
The temple is modeled after the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong. Among the Confucius temples in Taiwan, Taipei's is the only one decorated with southern Fujian-style ceramic ornaments. At the main hall of the temple one can see a black plaque with gold lettering which was inscribed by Chiang Kai-shek that reads "Educate without Discrimination." The temple features 4D theater which showcases the journey of Confucius and the history of the temple.[3]
Events edit
Every year on September 28, a ceremony with traditional music and stylized dancing is held at the temple in honor of Confucius. The temple is also the place where students, accompanied by their parents, pay a visit before their college entrance exam to seek for blessing.[2]
Transportation edit
The temple is accessible within walking distance West from Yuanshan Station of the Taipei Metro.
See also edit
- Temple of Confucius
- Dalongdong Baoan Temple, located nearby Confucius Temple.
- Bangka Lungshan Temple, Wanhua District
- Bangka Qingshui Temple, Wanhua District
- Xingtian Temple, Zhongshan District
- Ciyou Temple, Songshan District
- Guandu Temple, Beitou District
- List of temples in Taiwan
References edit
- ^ "A Brief History of the Examination Yuan". Examination Yuan of ROC. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ a b Liao, George (28 April 2020). "Taipei Confucius Temple ready to bless students taking exams". Taiwan News. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ "Taipei Confucius Temple". RoundTAIWANRound. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
External links edit
- Confucius Temple website
- Part of the Temple website with video of the ceremony