In the 3rd year of the reign of Qing Emperor Daoguang (1823), His Imperial Majesty, hearing of the splendid powers of the Five Lords, ordered his provincial commander and advisor to the crown prince to pay official homage at the Nankunshen Daitian Temple. Upon entering, the official kicked the base of their statues with the tip of his boot, as it was a commonly held belief that high government officials possessed celestial insight and the power to drive off evil.

A kick of the boot, it was said, was sufficient to send evil spirits packing; and lesser gods cowing in awe of Celestial power. However, the statues of the Five Lords remained seated firmly in place. Only a few droplets of perspiration could be discerned on the brow of the 3rd Lord. The high official, astounded by what he had personally witnessed, offered in memorial this wooden marquee, proclaiming their extraordinary powers over Taiwan – Imperial China’s outpost in the Eastern Sea.

He also instructed his son to oversee renovations to the temple to underscore his respect.

Today, the marquee hangs above the inner chamber and is the earliest such marquee in the temple collection.