Name: Hot Tainan EP10. Incense-questing and Art Parades
Uploaded: 2018-12-04T13:18:56.000Z
Duration: 14 min 30 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

The incense-questing event in Sigang is a famous national tradition

and it is also essential in terms of the religion.

“Sigang's incense-questing event” refers to

an incense-questing pilgrimage held by Cing-an Temple, Sigang.

and Cing-an Temple has been the organizer of the event

since it was held for the 14th time in 1823.

The incense-questing event is held once every three years.

making it “the largest incense-questing pilgrimage” in Taiwan.

Sigang's incense-questing event consists of two parts:

The pilgrimage includes a “South-bound Patrol”

a “Welcoming Mazu” ceremony to summon Mazu

and a three-day pilgrimage around the jurisdiction of the deities.

Many of the parades in the pilgrimage are organized

“The offering ritual to the god” includes Taoism rituals,

rituals from the House of the King (Wangye),

and most importantly, the King Boat Festival.

The last step of the festival features the burning of the king boat,

and send off Heavenly Patrol Yuchi (Wangye) to the heavenly palace.

The incense-questing event in Sigang has a 234-year old history

and is an important national asset of folk culture.

Generally, it takes an entire year in advance

to prepare for the incense-questing event.

Firstly, coordination meetings are held to decide participants,

and then they're ready to make the king boat.

for the wood "tsan" needed to make the boat since March.

In other words, "tsan" is the keel of a ship.

One year prior to incense-questing, on Wangye's birthday,

we inquire the deity where we should get "tsan." .

Once the ritual to seek the appropriate “tsan” is completed,

we'll proceed to the production of the king boat

and preparation of Sigang's incense-questing event.

Such preparations include erecting flag and lantern poles

Today  the Parade of Centipede Formation,

and Parade of Horses from Wuhu Pingsi, Dawunliao

The Parade of the Eight Beauties from Putuo Temple, Hailiao,

The first eight riders are all beautiful ladies,

and the ninth female member plays the male role “Shuchun Liou.”

Such an arrangement tells folks about the story of Shuchun Liou,

who wished to marry eight beautiful ladies

and in the end lived a happy ever after life.

One of the parades in setting up canopies is worth noticing:

We come from Wangan Temple in Gongwen and Ansi Temple in Sipuliao.

and later on we're recognized as the Parade of Centipede Formation.

During the incense-questing event held by Cing-an Temple, Sigang,

we're responsible for patroling and maintaining order for Wangye.

As the parade proceeds, the children throw out candies to pilgrims.

and consider them as a symbol of blessing.

One thing special about the Parade of Centipede Formation is that the roles in the parade

are passed to descendants within the same families.

After a family decided the character they want to play,

the role of Tan Taizhong is then passed down

Even if the family decides not to play the role anymore,

the role cannot be transferred or given to other families.

The family may choose to return the role to the temple,

but they may also reclaim it whenever they want to.

The parade grows on the foundation laid by our ancestors.

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Hot Tainan EP10. Incense-questing and Art Parades

essential

demonstrate

ritual

spectacular