A pure gold dragon robe makes a rare appearance at the Donggang King Welcoming Special Exhibition at Taichung’s National Museum of Natural Science

By Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

The National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung and Donglong Temple in Donggang Township, Pingtung County, have jointly launched the special exhibition *Heavenly Deputies—The Donggang King Welcoming Ceremony* from now until June 10. For the first time, the full-scale recreation of the Daidi Temple used during the Donggang King Welcoming Ceremony has been brought to Taichung. The temple's principal deity, King Wen of the Wen Temple, is adorned in the only “pure gold dragon robe” in Taiwan, making its second public appearance since 2005.

Donggang Town in Pingtung County has long been known as the “hometown of king boats.” Since 1973, when the boats began to be built from wood, they have become the focal point of the King Welcoming Festival. The Donglong Temple’s triennial King Welcoming Peace Ceremony, which has a century-long tradition and is considered the grandest of its kind in Taiwan, along with its spectacular king boats and participation from numerous temples and performance troupes, has been designated by the Council for Cultural Affairs as one of Taiwan’s top ten intangible cultural assets.

The *Heavenly Deputies—The Donggang King Welcoming Ceremony* exhibition is divided into three main sections: “Recreating the Daidi Temple,” “Setting Up the King Boat and the Ceremony,” and “Rituals of the Universal Altar.” The “Daidi Temple” serves as the temporary earthly residence of the divine deputies sent by the Jade Emperor to patrol the world and is also the ceremonial center of the Donggang King Welcoming event. In this special exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to see the principal deity of Donglong Temple, King Wen of the Wen Temple, and view the pure gold dragon robe up close, as well as catch a glimpse of the full splendor of the Daidi Temple.

National Museum of Natural Science: www.nmns.edu.tw

● Extended Reading: A World of Geometry and Color — The Solo Exhibition *Chen Shiming → Exploring Context*

www.tripass.net/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=7128