Yuqing Temple
| Yuqing Temple | |
|---|---|
玉清宮 | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Taoism |
| Deity | Guan Yu |
| Location | |
| Location | Miaoli City, Miaoli County |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Geographic coordinates | 24°33′53″N 120°49′36″E / 24.5647°N 120.8266°ECoordinates: 24°33′53″N 120°49′36″E / 24.5647°N 120.8266°E |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1906 |
| Direction of façade | Sotuh |
Miaoli Yuqing Temple (Chinese: 苗栗玉清宮; pinyin: Miáolì Yùqīng Gōng) is a temple located in Miaoli City, Miaoli County, Taiwan. The temple is dedicated to Lord Guan or Guansheng Dijun (關聖帝君), the deified form of Guan Yu.
History[]
The temple was established in 1906 by Hu Atong (胡阿統), though the building's construction was not completed until 1917. The temple was also known by many other names, including Guanyin Temple (觀音宮) and Potangxia Yuqing Temple (坡塘下玉清宮). The temple was heavily damaged by the 1935 Shinchiku-Taichū earthquake, but was crudely repaired. In 1965, local politician Tang Qingsong (湯慶松) called for the temple's renovation, and the original building was replaced by a reinforced concrete structure in 1967. Other buildings were also constructed on the temple's premises, including an senior citizens' center in 1976, a park in 1986, and a paifang in 1996.[1][2]
Structure[]
The main hall of Yuqing Temple is dedicated to Lord Guan or Guansheng Dijun (關聖帝君), whose statue is accompanied by Fuyou Dijun (孚佑帝君) and the Siming Zhenjun (司命真君). Altars to other deities are located on the sides and on the second floor. Yuqing Temple also has a public park located next to the front courtyard, which is designed with Chinese garden architecture and features a large statue of Lord Guan on his horse overlooking the courtyard.[1]
Traditions[]
Every year during Lantern Festival, Yuqing Temple holds a festival known as "Dragon Bombing" (Chinese: