The Sanlong Temple in Ryukyu Township enshrines the Three Lords of Chi, Wu, and Zhu. The triennial King Welcoming Peace Festival is a major event for the entire township. Fifty local shipbuilders began constructing the ceremonial boat in May, using premium solid wood and taking two months to complete, with the boat measuring 16 feet 1 inch in length and 4 feet 6 inches in width. Today (the 20th), the temple held the ceremonial boat’s water-entering ceremony and prepared a “candy rain” of 5,000 kg showering from the sky, marking the official start of the King Welcoming Peace Festival.
The Sanlong Temple in Ryukyu Township holds the ceremonial boat water-entering ceremony, with candy raining down like a sweet shower. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government)
The Renchen Year (Year of the Dragon) King Welcoming Peace Festival of the Sanlong Temple in Ryukyu Township will be held from November 2 to November 8. Cai Wencai, the general manager of the Sanlong Temple, explained that the water-entering ceremony is a unique ritual of the Ryukyu King Welcoming Festival. Although the ceremonial boat is built exactly like an ancient vessel, during the festival it is regarded as a sacred instrument and is eventually burned to send the Lords to heaven via the Heavenly River. Thus, the water-entering ceremony is like the boat’s commissioning ceremony.
People holding large cardboard boxes to catch candy created a unique spectacle. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government)
Early this morning, the square in front of the Sanlong Temple was flooded with devout worshippers. As it coincides with summer vacation, many locals who live elsewhere returned specially for the event. The ceremony was presided over by Chen Zhouwen, this year’s Chief Director, along with Ryukyu Township Mayor Tsai Tianyu, among others. Rituals included the offering of decorative spheres, the dotting of the boat’s dragon eyes, and the enshrinement of the boat’s Lord, Chief Mate, and sailors. After the “Dragon Root Cutting” ceremony — which removes the boat-building supports — symbolic water was sprinkled on the boat and its sails were raised, completing the water-entering ceremony.
The ceremonial boat, built from premium solid wood, took two months to complete. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government)
To allow worshippers to share in the joy and celebrate the harvest, the temple specially prepared 5,000 kg of candy and set up four grandstands in the square to shower down the sweet treats. The crowd, young and old alike, scrambled to catch the candy with boxes and umbrellas of all sizes, creating a lively scene. In the evening, the temple also hosted a peace banquet with 350 tables. Currently, nearly all homestays in Ryukyu Township have been fully booked. Visitors wishing to experience the folk culture and excitement of the King Welcoming Peace Festival are advised to plan ahead.
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