By Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
The series of events for the Tainan Incense Offering Festival continues, with the authentic Luermen Goddess of Mercy Temple officially beginning its journey on April 7. The temple is holding its triennial incense-offering (Yi Xiang) and grand parade rituals from April 7 to 9, during which it will tour through 11 local districts. Each of these 11 districts boasts distinctive folk cultural performance troupes, such as centipede formations, golden lion troupes, white crane troupes, Songjiang troupes, and the Eight Generals, all of which will take turns showcasing their skills during the event.
The grand parade of the authentic Luermen Goddess of Mercy Temple has begun, with various districts along the route featuring folk performance groups displaying their unique cultural skills. (Photo provided by Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau)
"Yi Xiang," also known as "Ge Xiang," refers to the ritual of receiving sacred incense from the deities. It is the term used in the southwestern coastal regions for temple parade activities, distinct from "Jin Xiang," which implies pilgrimage and should not be confused. Originally named Bao'an Temple, the authentic Luermen Goddess of Mercy Temple has independently organized Yi Xiang events since 1961, also referred to as the Tucheng Incense or Tuchengzi Incense. The Tucheng Incense is held once every three years, where the ceremonial royal boat enshrined in the temple is paraded to the front of the temple for worshippers’ veneration. Although the royal boat is typically seen in Wang Jiao (King’s Offering) ceremonies, it is only worshipped—not sent off. After the Yi Xiang rituals conclude, the boat is returned to the temple, unlike other regions where it is set adrift.
Devout participants in the parade hold incense sticks in hand, forming a long procession that reflects the deep roots of local faith and symbolizes the continuation and inheritance of culture. (Photo provided by Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau)
The 2012 Tainan Incense Offering Festival activities involved a collaboration among seven temples, including the Luermen Tianhou Temple, Anding Suchu Zhenhu Temple, Anding Suchu Changxing Temple, Xuejia Ciji Temple, Luermen Goddess of Mercy Temple, Madou Dafu Temple, and Xigang Qing’an Temple. A series of events were held between March and May, with Madou Dafu Temple and Xigang Qing’an Temple conducting their own grand parades and Yi Xiang rituals on April 13 and May 3, respectively.
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