Xingtian Temple

Xingtian Temple

Xingtian Temple is an important center of folk belief in Taiwan. Guide

Guide

Xingtian Temple is located at the intersection of Minquan East Road and Songjiang Road in Zhongshan District, Taipei. In addition to the main temple in Taipei, there are also branch temples in Beitou and Sanxia, collectively known as the Three Xingtian Temples. Introduction

Introduction

Xingtian Temple is the most visited temple by worshippers in northern Taiwan, with up to tens of thousands of visitors coming in and out daily. The temple enshrines Five Lords of Mercy—“Lords of Mercy” being a term in the faith meaning “saviors.” The five lords are Guan Yu (Guan Yun-chang), Lü Dongbin (one of the Eight Immortals), Zhang Dan (the Kitchen God), Wang Shan (the 30th Celestial Master of Taoism), and Yue Fei (a famous general from the Song Dynasty), with Guan Yu as the foremost. Since Taiwanese people also refer to Guan Yu as “Lord of Mercy,” the temple is often casually called the “Lord of Mercy Temple.”

Tip: Many people across Taiwan worship Guan Yu (Guan Yun-chang). Because he upheld righteousness and loyalty, he is revered as the “Martial Saint”; and because he was skilled in financial management, he is also honored as the “Patron Saint of Business.” Temple Features

In front of the hall stands a Heaven Worship Incense Burner, whose side handles are shaped like soaring dragons, with dragon heads extending toward the sky at each end, creating a unique design. Upon entering the front hall, many worshippers can be seen bowing and kneeling devoutly before the deities. Passing through the courtyard to the main hall, you’ll find that only fresh flowers and plain tea are placed on the deity table, with no other offerings.

This is because Xingtian Temple prohibits killing and does not allow animal sacrifices; it also specifically discourages burning joss paper, staging operas to honor the gods, or offering gold plaques. Moreover, aside from personal offerings of fresh flowers and vegetarian fruits, the temple provides free incense and candles. There is also no donation box at the entrance of the temple hall, and worshippers are not asked to contribute money, pioneering a tradition of simplicity in the religious sphere. Xingtian Temple Mall

Xingtian Temple Mall refers to the underground passage of Xingtian Temple, accessible from the four corners at the intersection of Minquan and Songjiang Roads. It is also known as “Fortune-Telling Street,” and together with the Longshan Temple Underground Street, is referred to as one of “Taipei’s Two Major Fortune-Telling Districts.” There are a total of 22 stalls, mainly selling incense, candles, fruits, and offering fortune-telling services, operating daily from around 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This place is not only a destination for locals to have their fortunes told, seek advice, or divine the future, but also one of the tourist spots favored by overseas visitors, especially those from Japan, and has its own unique charm.