Bring your quilt to sleep in the temple—Mazu’s Dragon Horn Peak Temple’s dream-seeking tradition where divine visions appear in dreams

▲ Devotees bring their quilts to sleep in the temple just to “seek dreams” from the Dream God. (Photo provided by the Kinmen County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)

Reporter Lin Yuling / Comprehensive report

Most temples only allow worshippers to offer incense,but this unique “Dragon Horn Peak Temple” located in Beigan, Matsu, is quite extraordinary.Every year on the 29th day of the first lunar month,hundreds of people flock here, bringing their quilts to sleep in the temple and “seek dreams.”It is said

that the “Dream God” provides guidance through dreams.

▲ It is believed that the Dragon Horn Peak Temple is visited by the “Dream God” every 29th day of the first lunar month, giving devotees the chance to seek dreams. (Photo provided by the Kinmen County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)The dream-seeking tradition has actually been around for many years and was later promoted by the “Kinmen County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau,” making the culture more widely known. Legend has it that the uncle of the Dream God resides in the Dragon Horn Peak Temple, and the Dream God visits every 29th day of the first lunar month to bestow “dreams” upon worshippers.

As long as you lie on the floor or nap in the temple on this day, the deity will answer the seeker’s questions through dreams—and this is the only day dreams can be sought.

People’s troubles and wishes mostly revolve around seeking love, fertility, career advancement, exams, and business success. The deity sometimes hints through flipping through a calendar in the dream, or zodiac animals may appear as signs. Since some devotees have found it effective, leaving the temple smiling with their dreams, word spread quickly, and the number of dream-seekers has increased year after year, attracting followers from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and beyond.

▲ Local elderly women come to seek dreams every year. (Photo provided by the Kinmen County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)

▲ A large crowd of devotees come to seek dreams—some lie on the floor, others sit and doze off, hoping to receive divine guidance through their dreams. (Photo provided by the Kinmen County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)It is said that a Ms. Cao, originally from Matsu, after participating in the dream-seeking ritual one year, unexpectedly began having numerous vivid and clear dreams, none of which ever repeated. But some struggle with “not being able to sleep at all!” They lie there for ages without catching even a glimpse of a dream. Ms. Cao later returned to her hometown every year to seek dreams,

and even started helping others “fetch dreams.” Before long, many devotees entrusted her with their dreams, and last year alone she helped fetch up to 300 dreams.Last year when she participated, there was an exam candidate who tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep—perhaps too excited, or maybe the noisy crowd made it difficult. He wanted to ask about his exam luck but couldn’t dream. Fortunately, Ms. Cao helped him by “fetching a dream,” telling him he had a good chance, which greatly relieved his stress. She said,

Actually, you don’t need to actually fall asleep to seek a dream. Just calm your mind, close your eyes without distractions, and any images that flash by are the “messages” from the Dream God.

▲ If someone can’t fall asleep or can’t dream, they can also ask someone else to “fetch a dream” for them. (Photo provided by the Kinmen County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)