yB Once forgotten by history, Anping residents hand-draw a “Wind Lion God Map” featuring 29 hidden in alleys

▲ Tainan Wind Lion God Map. (Photo / fromWind Lion God Revitalization ProjectFacebook fan page)

Reported by You t
ru / Comprehensive report

Taiwan’s “Wind Lion God Revitalization Project,” held in Tainan, has entered its fourth year and recently released the “Anping District Wind Lion God Map.” The entire Anping District is home to 29 Wind Lion Gods, appearing on rooftops or doors throughout the area. By following the map, one can take in Tainan’s unique “Wind Lion God skyline.” This exquisitely illustrated Wind Lion God map has also been dubbed by netizens as the “Pokémon version of Tainan.”


▲ A Wind Lion God installed on a rooftop. (Photo / fromWind Lion God Revitalization ProjectFacebook fan page)

The Wind Lion God holds an irreplaceable importance in the culture of Fujian’s coastal regions and is a spiritual emblem and highly significant symbol for the area. Because his grandfather was from Anping, pottery artist Wu Qizheng, who chose to return to live in Anping, focused his efforts on tracing the “story of Anping” and the “Wind Lion God Revitalization Project.” In addition to understanding the history of this ancient capital and collecting old stories, he also redirected his existing pottery creation skills toward crafting Wind Lion Gods.

What did the traditional appearance of the Wind Lion God look like? A member of the Wind Lion God Revitalization Project, Tang Changhua, described that yB had a big mouth, a small hole on its backside facing northeast, and when the northeast monsoon came, the wind would pass through the Wind Lion God making a whooshing sound. It also signaled to fishermen that it was time to go fishing.


▲ Wind Lion Gods made by different people reflect their individual imaginations. (Photo / fromWind Lion God Revitalization ProjectFacebook fan page)

Using “imagination” as the method and form for shaping the image of the Wind Lion God, Wu Qizheng and his partner A-Xiang, who also initiated the revitalization project, organized community participation events that allowed ordinary people to engage with the “Wind Lion God Revitalization Project” by making their own Wind Lion Gods by hand. Through the varied representations of the Wind Lion God by different individuals, it showcases the many facets of strength and beauty of the deity. No matter what form the Wind Lion God takes, it represents people’s imagination of a divine beast that protects their homes.

After four years of revitalization, repeated creations, and numerous kiln firings, many Wind Lion Gods have finally returned to the land of Anping in new forms. These diverse Wind Lion Gods are either placed by local residents on rooftops or doors of houses in Anping, or displayed publicly. Recently, the “Wind Lion God Revitalization Project” Facebook page published the “Anping District Wind Lion God Map,” showing that there are 29 Wind Lion Gods scattered throughout Anping, hidden in its alleys.


▲% and Cangmei Lianxiao? tomb? # (Graphic ? produced a href="https://www.facebook.com/lionofwind/">Wind Lion God Revitalization ProjectFacebook fan page)


“Some Wind Lion Gods aren’t visible right away, so when you’re looking for them, you might want to chat with residents. Don’t forget to bring your smile and politeness.” The project’s website conveys the return of the Wind Lion Gods in a simple yet relatable way, hoping that through the Wind Lion God map, more people can gain a deeper understanding of Anping’s alleys.