Songshan Ciyou Temple

Ciyou Temple was built in 1753 and has a history of over two hundred years. It primarily worships the Black-faced Mazu. Legend has it that after Mazu attained divinity, she often rescued ships in distress at sea. She is a very popular deity in Taiwanese folk religion. The temple building is a six-story square structure. Its main hall, the Sanchuan Hall, is very solemn and grand. The roof ridge features two dragons facing the three immortals of prosperity, status, and longevity (Fu, Lu, Shou), symbolizing protection and blessings. The stone lions in the Sanchuan Hall within the temple are works from 1803. During several renovations, they were once discarded elsewhere but were later discovered and placed in front of the Sanchuan Hall. Because they display the rare 'male lion with open mouth, female lion with closed mouth' tradition, they are considered a treasure of the temple. In addition to the stone carvings, the wooden carvings here are also vibrantly colored. Whether depicting flowers, animals, or human figures, they are lifelike, conveying a sense of the temple's opulence. Ciyou Temple has always been a spiritual sanctuary for the residents of Xikou's Thirteen Villages. Every year on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, Mazu's birthday, the Thirteen Villages cooperate with Ciyou Temple, dividing into three routes (east, south, north). Along these routes, shops and homes set up altars, preparing offerings of sacrificial food or fresh flowers and fruits to welcome Mazu's procession, making the entire Songshan District bustling with activity. In recent years, Ciyou Temple has remained a local focal point. Not to mention, Raohe Street Night Market is right next door, naturally making the area exceptionally lively.