•Publication Date：05/16/2014
•Source： Taiwan Today
An NT$10 million (US$330,000) three-year project aimed at protecting the heritage of Taiwan’s Taoist folk traditions was launched May 14 by the ROC Ministry of Culture.
The initiative involves assisting local temples and artisans in preserving and producing new statues of Taoist male gods and demons, also known as royal lords, as well as religious items such as the royal boat and folk art.
According to the MOC, belief in the royal lords still runs strong in Taiwan, but the skills required to produce their statues is dying out. This is why the ministry has tapped a group of master craftsmen, including Su Chun-fa from Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan and Wang Hsu-sheng from outlying Penghu County, to pass on their expertise.
One craftsman on hand at the program launch was Wang Ming-hsien. He demonstrated techniques for producing statues of royal lords and boats, and said he makes more than 60 statues and 20 boats in honor of the gods per year.
Other participants in the event include representatives from Taiwan’s three main royal lord worship centers: Pingtung County’s East Haven Palace of Eastern Prosperity, and Nankunshen Daitian and Sigang Ching An temples in Tainan City.
The MOC is hosting an exhibition of royal lords May 30 to July 27 in Taichung City to promote understanding of this important aspect of Taiwan’s Taoist traditions
