Xinwu Tianhou Temple | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Traditional Chinese | 天后 宮 | ||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 天后 宫 | ||||||||
Literal meaning | Heavenly Empress Palace | ||||||||
|
The Tianhou [1] or Mazu Temple [2] is a temple to the Goddess Mazu, the Chinese Goddess of Sea and Patron Deity of fishermen, sailors and any occupations related to sea/ocean. It is located in Xinwu District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
The area of Xinwu was settled by Mazu-worshipping Fujianese immigrants during the mid-18th century, the Qianlong Era of the Qing dynasty. The Tianhou Temple was established in 1826 [3] (the sixth year of Qing's Daoguang Era), with its location supposedly pointed out by the goddess. Its idol came from the Chaotian Temple in Beigang. The original small mud structure [1] has since been rebuilt or renovated in 1878, 1905, 1957, 1984, and 2002. [2]
The bronze statue of Mazu was erected in 2002. It is 32.7 meters (107 ft) high and 72 tons in weight. [1] It is protected by smaller statues of Mazu's door gods and guardians Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er. [2] It is the 2nd- tallest statue of Mazu on Taiwan and the 3rd-tallest in the world.
24°58′32″N 121°01′35″E / 24.975648°N 121.026444°E