Nankunshen Temple

 

Main Door Couplet

The Yu-Chi Stele

Statues of the Five Lords

Inspection Orders of the Five Lords

Stone Censer of the Five Lords

The Kaishan Tablet

Wood Carved Couplets, Ching Shan Temple

The‘Spirits Watch Over the Eastern Seas’Marquee Board

The‘Light Embraces All Four Directions’ Marquee

The ‘Spider Making its Web’ Pavilion

Octagonal Dragon Pillars

‘Pray for Joy and Happiness’

Scenes of Bamboo by Cheng Hsieh

Twin Dragons Gaze Upon the‘Three Stars’– Cut Tile Mosaic

‘Abandoned Lions’ Cut Tile Mosaic

Traditional ‘Palanquin-Style’ Roof Eaves

The Money Wall

Painted Door Gods

Long Hou (Dragon Throat) Well

Bronze Drums

 

 

Painted Door Gods

Painted Door Gods


The colorful gods adorning the ‘Five Doors’ on the north side are painted in careful detail in strong, confident strokes. Fading over the years also impart an aesthetic antiquity to the paintings.

The history of door gods stretches back to the ancient Shang Dynasty (c1783 - c1134 BC). Shentu (on the left) and Yulei (on the right) are the two gods most often depicted on temple doorways. The Martial General, a more recent door god, is a synthesis of Chin Shu-pao and Hu Ching-teh - two virtuous generals of the Tang Dynasty. They were introduced, as their power was believed strong enough to cast out evil spirits and demons, ensuring the purity of the altar within.


History | Worship | Monument | Lanscape | Activities